Trea Turner Starts Spring Training with High Hopes for Improvement

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Trea Turner began his spring training Wednesday at 8:34 a.m., stepping onto the half-field adjacent to BayCare Ballpark for an early workout with coaches Bobby Dickerson and Larry Bowa. Turner, who arrived a few days late due to the birth of his daughter, engaged in unscheduled drills with teammate Bryson Stott, focusing on double-play exchanges and overall fielding skills.

For 39 minutes, the duo practiced with paddle gloves, honing their synchronization and communication on the diamond. The atmosphere was lively, with Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski cheering them on during his morning walk.

The 2024 season marks an important year for Turner, who is under pressure to improve after a season that ended with a postseason slump. He posted a .295 batting average, with a .338 on-base percentage and .469 slugging percentage, but his performance fluctuated and led to concerns about consistency.

“They’re good,” Manager Rob Thomson said regarding Turner’s statistics. “But I think there’s more in there. We’ll try and iron those out.”

Turner echoed this sentiment, stating, “It’s not the good, consistent baseball that I want to play.” After missing six weeks in the previous season due to a high-grade hamstring injury, he still felt he needed to regain confidence in his abilities.

“It took me a while to get the confidence back in my hamstring. You’ve got to rip the Band-Aid off at some point,” Turner added.

The Phillies are considering adjusting Turner’s position to aid his performance, a change he is open to exploring. “It would be fun,” Turner said about the possibility. “I haven’t done it for a few years now.”

As spring training progresses, the team is prioritizing individual improvement. Dombrowski emphasized the importance of using the entire field, while Thomson noted the need for players not to exert excessive pressure on themselves.

Brandon Marsh also drew attention during the early training sessions. After facing only one left-handed pitcher in live batting practice, Thomson aims to see Marsh gain experience against lefties to evaluate his abilities for regular-season play.

“Absolutely, I’m tired of talking about it,” Thomson remarked regarding the ongoing discussions about Marsh’s performance against left-handed pitching.

Turning to last year’s statistics, Marsh showed potential, posting a .269 average against lefties after August 1, but he struggled early in the season, achieving just a .154 average.

“Using the other field and staying on the ball helps him with all off-speed pitches,” Thomson explained, supporting Marsh’s adjustments.

Meanwhile, Edmundo Sosa is set to broaden his skill set by practicing in the outfield, aiming to increase team versatility. Thomson indicated that Sosa’s ability in the outfield could influence roster decisions.

The Phillies are set to commence their Grapefruit League schedule next week, incorporating both regular players and top prospects. Thomson assured that prospects would have opportunities to showcase their skills, emphasizing the team’s commitment to evaluating talent.

As the Phillies embark on this spring training, the focus remains on player improvement, hope for a more consistent Turner, and the potential contributions of emerging talent.