Trea Turner has had an interesting Philadelphia Phillies tenure so far filled with many highs and lows. The bottom line with Turner that Phillies fans should come to realize is that his strengths will always outweigh his below-average defense.
Overall, Turner's capabilities as a high-contact hitter and outstanding baserunner make the Phillies' lineup much better. It also makes him one of the game's best shortstops and a strong pick to once again represent the National League at this year's All-Star Game in Atlanta.
Trea Turner should secure his second All-Star appearance with the Phillies this summer
Expectations were understandably enormously high for Turner after inking his 11-year, $300 million contract to join the Phillies ahead of the 2023 season. The team was coming off their first National League pennant since 2009 and Turner was tasked with being their franchise shortstop for the next decade-plus. He's done just that with the Phillies, hitting over .280 with a near-.800 OPS and earning his third career All-Star selection in 2024.
Last season's All-Star Game was Turner's first with the Phillies, and he was one of a franchise-record eight All-Stars. Although the Phillies will definitely have fewer representatives this year, Turner should return to the Midsummer Classic for his fourth-career All-Star Game based off his first-half success.
No. 2 tonight for Trea Turner!
— MLB (@MLB) June 4, 2025
It's all @Phillies in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/66tEBv64xp
Through June 8, Turner is slashing .301/.355/.445 with seven home runs and 30 RBIs and is among the MLB leaders in hits and stolen bases. He leads all NL hitters with 77 hits, and his .301 batting average leads qualified NL shortstops. He's also second among NL shortstops with 17 stolen bases and third with 44 runs scored and a .355 on-base percentage.
Some early-season Phillies All-Star predictions now look unlikely, but Turner is as likely a pick as any position player on the roster.
He may be unlikely to start for the National League at shortstop for the second consecutive season, as that honor could very well go the New York Mets' Francisco Lindor or Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts. But Turner should be a near-lock to play in the game as at least a reserve if he continues to hit like he currently is. After all, All-Star Game voting has become a popularity contest recently, and Phillies fans should do their job and vote Turner in to stick it to Mets and Dodgers fans, if anything.