Phillies Leadoff Hitter Reveling In New Pickoff Rules This Spring

Trea Turner has so many positive attributes as a leadoff hitter.

He can get on base in a variety of ways. He’s got the ability to hit for contact and also for power.

When Turner does reach base, he’s a threat to run.

Every time.

Turner has swiped 230 bases over his stellar eight-year career. He had 27 last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers and 32 the year before between the Dodgers and Washington Nationals. Turner stole a career-best 46 bases in ’17 with the Nationals.

Look for Turner to have a terrific chance at setting a new record with the Philadelphia Phillies this season.

After all, Major League Baseball has limited pitchers on the number of pick-off attempts this season. A pitcher can disengage from the rubber twice per plate appearance.

If he does so a third time, the pick-off must be successful or it will be ruled a balk.

Advantage, Turner.

“I love it," Turner told reporters at spring training, referring to the pick-off rule. "I'm looking forward to that a lot. Still not going to be super easy to steal bases, the game is hard in that aspect. From wear and tear on your body, I think it's going to be nice."

During Grapefruit League games, Turner has been wearing oven-like mitts when reaching base. The Phillies don’t want their $300 million shortstop to suffer any unnecessary finger or hand injuries.

"I despise it," Turner said of the mitts. "Quite the look, right? It's like, biting your hands, your first-base coach has to help you put on the gloves, I don't like it. I'm not too happy about it but it's something that I kind of need to do and have conceded that. Last year, my second-to-last game of the playoffs, I dove back and jammed a finger.

“Fingers are fine now, but it's more so moving forward, avoiding that stuff because it's just unnecessary."

If Turner steals 50 bases this season and leads the Phillies back to the playoffs, no one will care about the mitts. It’s about wins. When Turner is active on the basepaths, his team usually wins.

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