Despite existing for over 120 years, the Phillies aren't exactly rich with players who have finished among the best pure hitters in the National League in a given year. But shortstop Trea Turner is riding a second-half surge toward what would become a unique place in team history.
Trea Turner is looking good to lead the National League in hits in 2025
Currently topping the NL in base hits on the season, Turner is in an excellent position to become the first Phil to have a share of the NL hit lead in a season since Ben Revere of all people, who tied for the lead in 2014. More notably, Turner would become the first Phillies player to lead the NL in hits on his own since Lenny Dykstra in 1993.
If Turner does pull off this feat, something that seems almost certain barring an injury, it would mark the 18th time that a Phillies player had at least a share of the NL hit lead and the 15th time that a Phil led the category on his own. Turner would also become the 13th player in franchise history to lead or co-lead the Senior Circuit. The others: Richie Ashburn (three times), Sam Thompson (twice), Chuck Klein (twice), Dykstra (twice), and one apiece for Billy Hamilton, Ed Delahanty, Gavy Cravath, Sherry Magee, Lefty O'Doul, Dave Cash, Pete Rose, and the aforementioned Revere.
On a personal level for Turner, who just collected his 1,500th career hit last week, this would be his third time leading the league in hits as he starts to make a case for himself as a Cooperstown candidate sometime in the middle of next decade. And things would get even better for Turner if he could actually finish with the top batting average in the NL this year, an area where his former teammate Freddie Freeman figures to be his main competition during the stretch drive of this campaign.
Entering Monday, Turner is hitting .300 with an .803 OPS, 14 home runs and 32 stolen bases in 128 games. It's been quite a turnaround for a player who has taken his fair share of criticism during the first two-plus years he's played on a very rich 11-year contract.
Take it away, Trea! pic.twitter.com/0pH5cLAzvs
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 23, 2025
If Turner can pull off this feat and capture the NL batting title, he'd join even more exclusive company in Phillies history, as they haven't had a batting champion since Ashburn in 1958. The Phillies have only captured eight batting titles in team history, and this would be a nice feather in the cap for Turner, although you probably should disregard the fact that the lowest batting average to ever lead the NL was Tony Gwynn's .313 mark in 1988. Meanwhile, whether Turner, Freeman, or someone else takes it this year, they'll finish well below that number to establish a "new low" for the NL's best batting average.
And that nice, round number of 200 hits? Well, Turner is right on the cusp. He'll need to average more than a hit per game, which he's already doing, but the team may rest him some in the days leading up to the playoffs, denting his chances big-time. Turner's career high in hits is 195, and he also had 194 another time, so you know he'd love to do it. But he may just have to "settle" for leading the league in hits and possibly winning a batting title.
This season is all about the Phillies going deep into the playoffs and bringing that elusive title back to Philadelphia. But it's cool to see personal accomplishments along the way. Kyle Schwarber will likely join Ryan Howard as just the second Phillies player to ever hit 50 home runs in a season. Aaron Nola is about to pass Cole Hamels for third on the team's all-time strikeout list. And Trea Turner looks to be in line to establish his place in the team's record books as well thanks to his outstanding 2025 season.