Washington Nationals Promote Top Hitting Prospect Trea Turner to Syracuse (AAA), Goes Hitless in Debut

By Peyton Wesner

He is "moving on up!" 

It only took ten games at Harrisburg for Washington Nationals' prized prospect Trea Turner to further prove he had mastered the level of Double-A. Turner, mostly known for playing in the San Diego Padres' organization while his rights were with the Nationals, finally was allowed to play for HIS organization on June 16 after hitting five homeruns, collecting thirty-five RBIs, and stealing eleven bases with a .322 average in fifty-eight games for Double-A San Antonio of the Texas League. During his ten game stint with the Harrisburg Senators, the twenty-one year old continued his success at the plate by smacking fourteen hits, five of which were for extra bases, in thirty-nine at bats (.359 average). Would his dominance of pitchers continue in the new waters of the International League (Triple-A)? 

Tonight, Turner's Triple-A debut was on the road against the Indianapolis Indians, top affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The starting pitcher for the Indians was Radhames Liz, who has a 3.63 earned run average and eighteen strikesouts in seventeen and one/third innings pitched during eleven appearances for the Pirates, and from the get-go he was throwing heat. The NC State star was no match for Liz's fastball as he was called out on strikes in his first Triple-A plate appearance. 

Later in the third inning, Turner stepped back into the batter's box with a runner on first and two outs. He would rip an offering to right field, but unfortunately, the ball was hit straight to Indians' right fielder Willy Garcia for the third out of the inning. 

While the Syracuse Chiefs' had trouble plating runs on Friday night, the Indianapolis Indians were hitting the ball off of Syracuse starter Scott McGregor the same as if a coach were throwing to them during batting practice. Former Washington Nationals' shortstop Steve Lombardozzi, RBI single! John Bowker, RBI single! Wilkin Castillo, RBI single! Gorkys Hernandez, RBI single! Indians' pitcher Radhames Liz, 2 RBI single! When the dust finally cleared at the end of the first inning, Indianapolis had posted six runs! 

Once the Indians had the lead, they never relinquished it and marched on to a 9-1 victory this evening, In his last two at bats during the sixth and eighth innings respectively, Syracuse shortstop Trea Turner grounded out into fielder chocies, ending his Triple-A debut hitless. 

Tomorrow, Turner will put tonight's tough debut behind him and continue to look for his first Triple-A hit against Indianapolis' right hander Wilfredo Boscan in game two of the three game set.