Despite few chances, Trea Turner still showcasing skill set

Rookie Trea Turner has seen limited action since making his major league debut on August 21. The 22-year-old has been used primarily in pinch-running and pinch-hitting situations, but did make one start at second base when the Nationals lineup was dealing with widespread injuries.

On Friday night, Turner was summoned to pinch-run for Yunel Escobar, who led off the eighth with a single. Turner advanced to second on Bryce Harper's walk and then alertly hurried to third on a wild pitch. That set him up to tag and score the game-tying run on Ian Desmond's sacrifice fly to shallow center.

Turner picked up the second hit of his young career on a line drive to left one frame later.

"He's shown us the glimpses of what can be," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "(Friday) he stays on a first-pitch changeup and lines a single. He moves up on a ball in the dirt. We're waiting for that opportunity for him to be on first base and a ball in the gap and watch him go. He's got good speed. It's quick speed as we saw (Friday) on the ball that he moved up on."

Turner has appeared in six games at second base and two at shortstop.

"He has the ability to play both middle infield positions," Williams said. "He's a shortstop by nature, but he's played some second base and played it well. He's turned a couple of double plays nicely."

With free-agent-to-be Ian Desmond most likely leaving after the season, the Nationals could entertain the idea of Turner as their starting shortstop or second baseman in 2016.

After drafting Turner 12th overall in June 2014, the Padres shipped him to the Nationals in a three-way trade last December. Turner was forced to remain in the Padres organization until June 14, having to wait until the one-year anniversary of signing his pro contract before officially joining the Nationals on June 14.

Turner batted .359 in just 10 games at Double-A Harrisburg before he was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse. In 48 games at Syracuse, Turner slashed .314/.353/.431 with seven doubles, three triples, three homers, 14 stolen bases and 15 RBIs.

"(Friday night), as an example, I don't think the game sped up on him," Williams said. "He seemed perfectly in control in everything that he did. Given the game and the circumstances of it, I think he handled it great.

"You have to remember what he's been through this year. I don't remember how many teams he's played on but a bunch of them. So that's quite an experience for a younger player with two different organizations and finding himself in the big leagues and contributing. It's a good process for him. So where he's at, don't know yet. But I think the skill set is certainly there."