After a disappointing loss to the New York Mets in the NLDS last year, the Philadelphia Phillies will look to turn the page in 2025 and make a deeper run in the playoffs.
The Phillies did not make huge changes to their offense in the offseason, but they could look to shake up their batting order in 2025. Veteran slugger and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber has been Philly’s lead-off hitter for the past three years.
However, Phillies manager Rob Thomson isn’t opposed to changing the top of the batting order, which could mean Trea Turner replacing Schwarber. The All-Star shortstop is looking forward to possibly being the tone-setter for the Phils’ offense.
"I like it, he said Wednesday (h/t Lochlahn March of the Philadelphia Inquirer). I always hit one or two for the most part of my career, and hit a little three, but one or two early on. And I think it would be fun, be a little different. I’ve been in that two-hole for a few years now, but [to] kind of get back to a little bit more speed, and that aspect will be fun."
The 31-year-old infielder is a career .302 hitter at the plate when he’s leading off. He also has 156 stolen bases and has been only caught stealing 27 times. When Turner is batting second in the order, the veteran shortstop is slashing .292/.344/.477 at the plate.
Last season with the Phillies, Turner was exclusively hitting the No. 2 spot behind Schwartber in the lineup. The All-Star infielder slashed .295/.338/.469 with 25 doubles, 21 home runs, and 62 RBI.
In his first season with the Phillies, the veteran shortstop spent most of his time in the second spot (113 games). However, Thomson tinkered with the batting order a few times, putting Turner in the leadoff spot (15 games) and sixth spot (11 games) when he was struggling.
In that short stint at the top of the order, Turner triple-slashed .266/.299/.375 with three doubles and three RBI. Nonetheless, we’ll see if Thomson will put Turner at the top of the batting order as Spring Training begins in Florida.