We’re talking Phillies shortstop Trea Turner, who is lighting up the NL, and this one’s a redemption arc you don’t want to miss.
From Big Phillies Deal to Big Pressure
So let’s rewind the tape. December 2022: Trea Turner inks an 11-year, $300 million deal with the Phillies — a contract that screamed, “You’re our guy for the next decade.” And what followed? Well… not exactly the fireworks Philly fans had envisioned. First half of 2023? A modest .247 average, 10 homers, and a lot of collective head-scratching. Not a total disaster, but for a guy who once led the league in batting, it felt like buying a Ferrari and getting a Prius.
But now he’s reminding everyone why that contract made sense — and why patience is sometimes the real MVP.
Turner’s All-Around Game Making Noise
As of Thursday, Turner’s putting up video game numbers. He’s leading the National League in batting average (.301), hits (174), and tied for first in stolen bases (36) with Oneil Cruz. Add in his 31 doubles, seven triples, 14 homers, 68 RBI, and a jaw-dropping 48 multi-hit games? That’s not just a hot streak. That’s an MVP résumé.
Now, don’t get it twisted — Kyle Schwarber is crushing baseballs like he’s on a mission from the baseball gods. The man leads the league with 49 homers and 119 RBI. And his Statcast numbers? Off the charts. Literally. He’s sitting in the 100th percentile in hard-hit percentage. You can’t hit the ball harder than Schwarber is right now.
Field Value Separates the Stars
But here’s the kicker: Turner’s doing it on both sides of the ball. He’s playing shortstop every day, while Schwarber is mostly parked at DH. And while the DH stigma isn’t what it used to be (thanks, Ohtani), there’s still something to be said about a guy who’s helping you win with the bat and the glove.
FanGraphs has Turner at 6.4 fWAR to Schwarber’s 4.3. That’s a noticeable gap. Turner also holds his own in wRC+ and OPS+, which proves he’s not just padding stats — he’s delivering meaningful production.
Bottom line? Trea Turner went from Philly’s $300 million question mark to one of the biggest answers in baseball. And if he keeps this up? He might just be holding a shiny new trophy come November.
