Baker wants Trea Turner to enjoy his play with the Nats, not overanalyze

Manager Dusty Baker had a great response when asked a couple of questions about second baseman Trea Turner's outstanding play recently for the Nationals.

Turner has displayed the ability to get on base and play good defense, mostly from a spot he is just learning in center field. Still, Baker doesn't want anyone to overanalyze Turner's success just yet.

"Let's leave him alone for a while," Baker said, following a second question about Turner during pregame Tuesday. "Let's leave him alone, let him enjoy it without too much fanfare. He's doing great. I don't want to ridicule him, or I don't want to praise him too quickly, I just want him to enjoy what he's doing and just keep on doing it."

Turner certainly appears to be enjoying his time in the majors. But Baker knows that opponents are taking notice. Turner has already had nine multi-hit games since early June.

"It's going to happen because these people aren't going to let you just keep killing 'em," Baker said. "The test comes in how you adjust to what they're doing to you. I was that same rookie. I came in third in the league my first year. I also believe that your toughest years in the league are years four and five because the league, instead of having a paperback on you, they've got a hardcover on you."

Baker said Turner has taken advantage of the fact that these teams he's facing have not seen him before. However, you still have to be good at hitting, and Turner is.

"I always believe that if you can hit, the easiest time to hit is in your first year or so, because no one really knows you," Baker said.

Heading into Tuesday's game, Turner is hitting .303 with four doubles, four triples, two homers and 12 RBIs. He has also stolen eight bases.

But what might be a bit surprising is Turner's ability on defense, especially in the outfield after playing his entire career at shortstop. This season for the Nationals in 17 games, he has already started at three different positions: center field, shortstop and second base. He has one error in 71 chances this season, and his fielding percentage is .986.

"They say a shortstop can play anywhere, and he's a prime example of that," Baker said.

Turner's ability to alter games with his bat, his speed and his glove has helped the Nationals' offense accelerate recently, providing a facet that was lacking at times in the first 90 games of the season. Now, it will be interesting to see how opponents look to play him these next 50-plus games.