One Phillies All-Star Could Change Everything

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

One Phillies All-Star Could Change Everything

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nicholas Covone | Last updated Jul 19, 2026 11:45 AM ET

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner is only in year four of his 11‑year, $300 million deal, but his performance so far hasn’t matched the contract’s expectations.

Despite his 2025 season which saw him win the Batting Title with a .304 average, he has not been the player he once was on the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Turner is currently having the worst season of his 11-year major league career. In 96 games, the 33-year-old is slashing .241/.290/.373, a .663 OPS, with 12 home runs, 17 stolen bases, 26 walks and 93 strikeouts.

His defense have regressed back down to earth following his plus defensive 2025 season. In 2025, Turner committed eight total errors. In 2026, he has committed 14.

While the numbers overall look ugly, Turner has started to turn it around at the plate this season.

In his last 26 games, Turner is slashing .302/.348/.491, good for a .839 OPS.

Trea Turner over his last 26 games

.302 average
.348 OBP
.491 slug

Trea Turner first 70 games

.219 average
.269 OBP
.330 slug https://t.co/i2cTQIMSHY
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) July 19, 2026

The three-time All-Star keeping up this pace could change the rest of the Phillies season drastically.

The team has struggled against left-handed pitching this season and it became clear that a priority at the Trade Deadline would be a right-handed bat to combat this.

However, Turner seems to be reemerging as that force in the top of the lineup.

The Phillies could be more likely to focus on other areas of need, such as a starting pitcher or back-end of the bullpen, with the offense being taken care of.

Hopefully Turner will be back to keep up his turnaround and return to being one of the premier leadoff men in the league.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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