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TL1 San Antonio Missions

Joining the Pack

June 10, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
San Antonio Missions News Release


Trea Turner of the San Antonio Missions
Trea Turner of the San Antonio Missions
(San Antonio Missions)

Trea Turner did the right thing.

Although being selected in the 20th round by Pittsburgh in the 2011 Major League Draft following a banner career at Park Vista Community High School (Fla.) was exciting, the shortstop turned down the $50,000 signing bonus and went to North Carolina State University instead.

Because he was fresh out of high school, Turner felt going the collegiate route was a better option. After all, he could use the time to refine his skills and mature as a player. When the next opportunity to go pro came down the road, he would be better prepared.

Turner's situation couldn't have turned out any better. During his three years with the Wolfpack, he shined defensively and was also productive at the plate all three years.

As a freshman (2012) Turner led the nation in steals with 57 while batting .336 with 43 RBIs and five home runs during NC State's trek to the Super Regionals. He followed with a team-leading .368 average, 42 RBIs and seven home runs his sophomore year while helping the Wolfpack to the College World Series.

Major League scouts kept close tabs on Turner's progress. After batting .321 with 36 RBIs and eight home runs as a junior, the San Diego Padres selected the shortstop as their No. 1 pick (13th overall).

"I loved every second of my time there," Turner said. "It really helped my career. I was an OK player out of high school, but in college I got better and learned a ton from the coaches. I never thought about hitting and fielding the way they broke it down. A lot of things they taught made sense to me. They helped me mature and become more consistent. That was the main reason I wanted to go."

Being part of the Road to Omaha atmosphere made it sweeter. The Wolfpack missed out on a CWS trip his first year after losing to Florida. Everything fell into place the next year as NC State claimed a Super Regional with a sweep of Rice.

The Wolfpack opened the World Series with an 8-1 win over Atlantic Coast Conference foe North Carolina, but then lost to eventual champion UCLA (2-1) and the Tar Heels (7-0). Although the run ended sooner than Turner hoped, it was a still a memorable accomplishment.

"That was probably the highlight of my baseball career," Turner said. "It was a blast. I really enjoyed going there."

Now, Turner enjoys living the dream of playing professional baseball. Though it's just getting started, his maturity and steady play has already made an impression.

A year ago, he batted .369 with 22 RBIs and four home runs in 46 games with Single-A Fort Wayne. Now, Turner is showing his stuff with the Double-A Missions. He solidified the middle infield from the start. Despite a slow start in the early portion of the season, the infielder overcame the slump and has been rolling ever since with a .324 average with 33 RBIs and five home runs. Prior to this past May 31's 3-1 loss to Northwest Arkansas, Turner owned a 16-game hitting streak and 29-game on base streak.

"I struggled a little bit when I first got into the minors," Turner said. "I started to figure things out. I can only imagine how that transition would have been going out of high school. It would have a tougher adjustment. The maturity helped.

"I've always been the type of kid who made the adjustment until something started to work. Whatever it is, I always try to tinker here and there until I figure out something that could help me. I learned that in college. I had to adjust. I've had to do the same thing in pro ball."

Turner is happy with the progress, especially at the plate. He entered this season knowing what he would be up against. Double-A pitchers are sharper and the daily grind is also a challenge. Like in the past, Turner had a game plan and has followed it completely.

"I'm pleased with my hitting so far," Turner said. "A lot of people have questioned that. I'm not this power hitter who hits a ton of home runs or anything like that. I am making solid contact.

"I started off slow and then got hot. Then I hit another speed bump, but started coming back again. You have to make the adjustments and keep evolving."

Unfortunately, the Padres won't get to see the finished product, at least not as a player in the organization. Because he was part of the Wil Myers trade this past offseason, Turner will be heading to the Washington Nationals later this week.

Turner was aware of the situation coming into the season. Although the Nationals were his future team, that hasn't stopped him from giving his all with the Missions.

"I try not to worry about it," Turner said. "I just go out there, compete and have fun with my teammates. You can't let anyone take your joy away. You have to go out there, play hard and have fun. Regardless of who I play for I am going to give it everything I've got."

Where does he get that competitive fire?

"My family," Turner said with a smile. "I really get a lot of it from my mother's side of the family. You could go 3-for-4 and they would say why didn't you get the fourth hit? I think that is why I always played hard."

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Trea Turner of the San Antonio Missions
Trea Turner of the San Antonio Missions
 Trea Turner of the San Antonio Missions
Trea Turner of the San Antonio Missions
  



Texas League Stories from June 10, 2015


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