Phillies Manager Praises Trea Turner Amid Defensive Struggles

Philadelphia, PA — Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson praised shortstop Trea Turner for his defensive improvements during a recent discussion. The comments came after the team faced a tough sweep from the Milwaukee Brewers at the end of May. The Phillies are gearing up for a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 3, down one game in the NL East to the New York Mets.

Despite the recent challenges, Thomson expressed confidence in his team’s defensive progress. He shared his thoughts with The Athletic‘s Matt Gelb, stating, “I don’t know how to put a number on it, but I think we’ve played very well at times. We’ve improved over the last year. And I think Trea’s played a lot better this year than he did last year.” However, he admitted that defensive metrics have not been kind to Turner throughout his career, often ranking him among the bottom players in the league.

Although the team has struggled, they remain optimistic about their chances for success. The Phillies are still very much in the race and hope to improve their defensive performance as they continue their season. With June just beginning, they have plenty of time to turn things around.

The Blue Jays will present a formidable challenge, as they are also battling for position in the AL East, currently led by the New York Yankees. Thomson emphasized the need for his players to focus on the basics, saying, “The teams that do that the most usually end up chasing championships.”

Thomson’s faith in Turner reflects a broader emphasis on improving team defense in 2025 as the Phillies look to move closer to their championship aspirations.