Even while sidelined with a hamstring strain, Trea Turner is quietly piecing together what might be his most impressive season yet in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform.
The two-time All-Star and former World Series champion has been nothing short of a catalyst in 2025, producing 5.3 WAR to go with 15 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 36 stolen bases. Beyond the raw numbers, his consistency has stood out—Turner currently leads the entire National League in both hits (179) and batting average (.305), serving as the heartbeat of a Phillies lineup that has championship aspirations.
And with just eight regular-season games remaining, Turner isn’t only helping to fuel the Phillies’ push for the league’s top seed—he’s also chasing a slice of baseball history. If he manages to finish top two in both batting average and stolen bases, he would become the first player since Hall of Famer Honus Wagner to accomplish the feat multiple times. That’s the type of company every player dreams of keeping.
But Turner’s grip on the leaderboard is anything but secure. The Cubs have two young stars breathing down his neck—Nico Hoerner is within striking distance in the batting race, while Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to close the gap in steals. Turner’s injury complicates things further, as time away from the field could leave the door open for challengers to surpass him.
The Phillies, however, remain optimistic about his recovery. Locked in a tight battle with the Milwaukee Brewers for the National League’s No. 1 seed, Philadelphia could receive a massive boost if Turner returns before the end of the season. According to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, Turner has been progressing quicker than expected—a development that has left team officials both encouraged and pleasantly surprised.
“Turner jogged at 50 percent on Wednesday,” manager Rob Thomson told The Athletic. “He’s been taking grounders and hitting in the cage.”
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Behind the scenes, the Phillies are even weighing the possibility of bringing in a minor league pitcher next week to give Turner live at-bats. That move would mark a critical step toward activating him for the season’s final stretch.
Even if Turner is advised to ease off on the basepaths to protect his hamstring, the Phillies know he can still make a major impact down the stretch. Preserving his batting title bid while stabilizing the top of the lineup could be just as valuable as his stolen base threat.
With Red October fast approaching, Philadelphia fans know the team’s postseason hopes are only strengthened with Turner in the mix. Whether chasing history, anchoring the lineup, or simply setting the tone for his teammates, Turner remains a player capable of altering the NL playoff race—and perhaps carrying the Phillies one step closer to their long-awaited championship.