Turner continues to dazzle at plate and in center field

Trea Turner will continue to start if he keeps playing like he has the last few games.

On Friday night, he added to the resume with his second homer of the season, a double and two runs scored in the Nationals' 5-1 victory over the Giants.

Turner also ran the bases with his plus-plus speed and made all the plays he needed to in center field, his new position since he learned the spot while with Triple-A Syracuse.

Manager Dusty Baker reminded the media not to be misled by Turner's baby face or his 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame. The kid can play.

"He's very mature past his look," Baker said. "He looks like a kid, but he plays like a man. He doesn't seem overwhelmed with anything. He's given us a tremendous spark since he's been here, which we needed."

Turner hit another home run on Friday. It is his second homer in as many games. The one in Arizona traveled 451 feet. He has now gone 17-for-47 (.362) in his last 11 games, with three doubles, two triples, two homers, nine RBIs and five stolen bases.

He said he feels much more comfortable with his approach at the plate, as compared to just 30 days ago.

"Much better, even than the beginning of this year, and right before the All-Star break I felt a little weird," Turner said. "Last year, I never really felt right the whole time. I'm starting to feel more normal these last three or four days. I feel like I've made the adjustments I've wanted to and I've kind of gotten back to where I feel comfortable.

"But every day is a battle, and that last at-bat I didn't do what I was supposed to do and I had a crappy at-bat. But that's baseball. The more times you can feel better, the better off you will be."

What may be even more impressive than his hitting is how quickly he has acclimated to playing center field. After playing shortstop or second base for his entire collegiate and minor league career, Turner played a grand total of six games as a center fielder for Triple-A Syracuse.

He now has seven major league games in center field under his belt, including six starts.

Baker talked about what the focus is for Turner on defense. He said the 23-year-old is learning not to dive after balls in front of him and instead is just allowing singles.

"Learning to move with the pitch and the count," Baker said. "Starting to think along with your pitchers. Sometimes you see a ball hit, a guy is consistently late. (Assistant hitting coach) Jacque Jones and (first base coach) Davey Lopes have been working with him, and he's a fast learner."

How does Turner feel playing center field?

"Every day, I'm getting that much better," Turner said. "In (batting practice), I feel real comfortable. In games, I'm still getting those reps. That last ball, I kind of took a step in a little bit. Just trying to read hitters and catch everything I possibly can. It's alright. I don't mind it. I don't mind playing here. It's fun playing here."