Trea Turner will not play in Arizona Fall League, gets a rest after whirlwind season

Nationals shortstop Trea Turner will not be participating in the Arizona Fall League, a club source confirmed. The organization has decided that Turner will get some rest after playing in 116 minor league games and 27 major league games this season. He is not injured.

Turner was originally scheduled to be on the Salt River Rafters taxi squad, which meant he could participate only in games on Wednesday and Saturday. But Turner played for two organizations and four teams this season, and still was able to accumulate 494 at-bats.

Billy Gardner Jr. managed Turner for 48 games at Triple-A Syracuse this season and said the 22-year-old made great strides and now will have his first offseason with the Nationals to build on his experience with the parent club.

"It's a big offseason for him - if he gets a little bit stronger, works on some things and handle the grind of a long season," Gardner said. "I think it will be big for Trea. I think he's very close. I really do. He's not far away.

"He brings a lot to the table. Obviously, the dynamic speed aspect of it, the ability to play shortstop, he can play second base, as well, which is an additional tool in his tool box, which can help a major league club."

Turner hit .322 in 116 minor league games in 2015, with 24 doubles, seven triples, eight homers, 29 stolen bases and 54 RBIs. With the Nationals, Turner got 40 at-bats over 27 games, batting .225 with one double, one homer, four walks, two stolen bases and one RBI.

His season started in the Double-A Texas League on April 9 with the San Antonio Missions. On June 16, he moved to the Double-A Eastern League with Harrisburg, when his status as the player to be named in the offseason trade that sent outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to Tampa Bay became official. Then, on June 26 moved to Syracuse, and on Aug. 21 joined the Nationals.

He made eight starts with the Nationals, six at second base. Turner could be the starting second baseman for the club in 2016, with Anthony Rendon at third base and Yunel Escobar or Danny Espinosa at shortstop.

Turner's body type reminds me of former second baseman Billy Doran, who played 12 seasons in the majors, nine with Houston. Doran was listed at 5-foot-11, 175 lbs. Turner is listed at 6-foot-1, 175 lbs.

But Turner doesn't have to be that big for baseball. Gardner said Turner doesn't need to get bulky because you don't want to alter his speed and quickness.

"He just needs to add some additional strength, maybe put on a little bit more weight," Gardner said. "But I don't think he needs to bulk up by any means. He's got really good hands and wrists. He can wrist the bat through the strike zone. He's got bat speed. I've seen him put a charge into a lot of fastballs at the Triple-A level - I know he got one in Atlanta. He can put a charge into it because he has bat speed. He's got strong hands and wrists. To me, that's a big thing for a hitter.

"You don't want to take away the speed aspect of his game, because it is such an important tool for him. But as he progresses, he will fill out a little bit so he can take the grind of a long season."