As is usual for this time of year, the Philadelphia Phillies' lineup construction is under intense scrutiny. Specifically the leadoff spot.
Manager Rob Thomson has mused about swapping the order around this season, with trials supposedly upcoming during the Phillies' spring training Grapefruit League games. One change that Thomson has already talked about is moving shortstop Trea Turner up into the top spot in the lineup.
Hitting coach Kevin Long endorses trying Trea Turner in Phillies' leadoff spot
While the fanbase might be split about whether taking slugging designated hitter Kyle Schwarber out of the leadoff spot is a good idea, his potential replacement has support from one valuable source. Hitting coach Kevin Long, who has known Turner since their days in Washington, thinks Turner can hack it in the role, despite his poor finish in 2024.
“Well, they quit throwing him fastballs. He wasn’t even seeing fastballs. He was swinging at everything. His chase rate went through the window. It just unraveled on him a little bit," Long told The Athletic's Matt Gelb (subscription required). "But again, I know Trea. I know his heartbeat. I know his pulse. And Thoms is thinking about leading him off. And that plays right into this.”
Whether the top-of-the-order shuffle will work depends on which Turner shows up this season. The Turner who hit .349 in 57 first-half games last year, or the one who hit .247 over 64 games in the second half?
He chased 30.7 percent of pitches out of the zone before the All-Star break. He chased at a 37.4 percent rate in the second half, and his chase rate spiked to 41.9 percent through September.
Taking Schwarber out of leadoff spot is a risky move
Long acknowledges that changing the leadoff hitter could be a risky move.
"It’s risky because we have a really good leadoff hitter. There’s no debating that. We win when Kyle is leading off," Long said, per Gelb. "But does it flip a switch for Trea? And does it help us become a better ballclub? Let’s see."
Turner did end up hitting an impressive .295 with an. 807 OPS last season. His counting stats, like his 21 home runs, 88 RBI and 19 stolen bases, were stunted by his six weeks on the IL with a hamstring strain. He won't walk (5.0 percent) as much as Schwarber (15.3 percent), but he also won't strike out (18.2 percent) as much as Schwarber (28.5 percent).
And Turner's excited to hit in the No. 1 spot, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Corey Seidman.
"I like it," Turner said on Wednesday, his first day in camp, per Seidman. "I've always hit one or two, for the most part, in my career. I think it would be fun, it would be a little different, I haven't done it for a few years now. Kinda get back to a little bit more speed.
"I think you take a few more pitches here or there. For me, I always looked at it as Bryce is hitting behind me so I'm ready to hit. Obviously, they're coming after me and don't want to face him. I think when you're leading off, just that label kind of puts a little bit of perspective on it, the way pitchers pitch you."
We'll know soon enough if Turner can give the top of the Phillies' lineup the kickstart they need. If he can, we will see Schwarber wielding his 40-home run power a few spots lower, perhaps offering Bryce Harper some protection. Even if the trial goes well in spring training, there's no gaurantee Thomson will pull the trigger on a change once the regular season gets here. We're so used to seeing Schwarber leading off that we'll believe it when we see it.