Batting second in the dream 2024 Phillies lineup, Trea Turner at SS
After enduring an extraordinarily long slump to begin the 2023 season, Trea Turner turned his season completely around during the second half.
By hitting .317 with an OPS of 1.000, with 44 runs scored, 14 doubles, 16 home runs, and 42 RBI in 51 games down the stretch, Turner became an unstoppable force in leading the Phillies right into the postseason. In doing so, he verified why the Phillies signed the superstar shortstop to a whopping 11-year, $300 million contract during the 2022-23 offseason.
With a proven MLB star in Turner hitting behind Ohtani, it will help ensure that Ohtani doesn’t just get unhittable pitches and free passes every time he comes to the plate. On top of that, don’t forget that Turner is also a speedster on the basepaths, averaging close to 30 stolen bases per season in his career. So, together with Ohtani, they could be the next coming of Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino in the Phillies lineup, but with far greater offensive potential.
Batting third in the dream 2024 Phillies lineup, Bryce Harper at 1B
After coming back early from Tommy John surgery, Bryce Harper put together a solid 2023 campaign with the Phillies. In particular, he heated up big time as the season went on, including a strong final two months of the season in which he hit .299 with 41 runs scored, 16 home runs, and 41 RBI in the process.
Having Harper in the third spot in the batting order is a must, given his success in the position for the majority of his tenure with the Phillies. Not only that, but it will keep the lineup alternating between lefty (Ohtani) to righty (Turner) and back to lefty (Harper) to keep opposing teams from utilizing any type of strategic pitching matchups.
In addition, keeping him at first base is the best scenario to help preserve his health in the long run.
NEXT: The Phillies get a new center fielder.