23
2011
2011 Mets Player Review: Justin Turner, 2B
An article by 
JUSTIN TURNER
THE SKINNY: With second base a black hole last season when Brad Emaus didn’t make it and Daniel Murphy was hurt, Turner played more than anticipated. His playing time also increased when Jose Reyes twice went on the disabled list and Tejada played shortstop.
PRE-SEASON EXPECTATIONS: In the minor leagues, where he had been since 2006 with the Cincinnati and Baltimore organizations. The Mets would keep an eye on him because of his ability to play multiple positions (second, third and shortstop).
HOW THE SEASON PLAYED OUT: Turner quickly got his opportunity with the Mets and made the most of it with his hustle, timely hitting and defensive versatility. However, just because Turner can play multiple positions doesn’t mean he can play them all well as 12 errors indicates.
JOHN’S TAKE: Murphy is the better hitter and should get the first chance at second base, assuming Reyes leaves and Tejada takes over shortstop. The Mets will need bench players and it is better to stay with Turner than take somebody else’s reject off the waiver wire this winter.
JOE’S TAKE: Ultimately I don’t see Justin Turner as an everyday player. With sporadic playing time Turner was a hitting machine at the plate. He had a drive and intensity that almost made him an intimidating presence at the plate, and his focus and approach at the plate were spot on. But when he got regular playing time the results suffered which was a shame. I’ll tell you one thing though about this kid, there’s no Mets player including David Wright, that I’d want up at the plate with runners on base. Turner may be the best situational hitter on the team, and his presence on the bench is a big plus for the Mets.
About the Author: John Delcos
I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 20 years, including ten in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I covered the Baltimore Orioles for eight years and the Cleveland Indians before that. I currently serve as an editor and senior staff writer for Mets Merized Online. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos.
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I’ll tell you one thing though about this kid, there’s no Mets player including David Wright, that I’d want up at the plate with runners on base”
Me either, LOL… hell, josh thole inspire more confident.. happy thanksgiving to all.. yes, including jesseP.
BTW, today coincidentially is justin turner’s 27th birthday
LMAO! Josh Thole????? That’s funny! For the same reason John would rather have Turner up with RISP is the same reason I would rather have Fonzie on my team over David,situational hitting.Fonzie was a s good as it gets as a situational hitter,plus his defense makes it a no brainer for me. Happy T-Giving to you too Alex!
would be an excellent jack of all trades for the bench. Always nice to have guys that are good situational hitters for PH duty. And he can play SS enough to get by, and 3B in a pinch.
Wasn’t he getting some time in the OF over the winter too?
depending on the MI starters, a bench with Murphy/Turner + 2 OFs (one of which can play CF) + BU Catcher could actually be a strength.
On any other team this guy would be the “glue” of a championship winner. But not here, not for the foreseeable future. Does a platoon with Reese Havens seem likely if Havens can stay healthy?
If Havens is healthy, they would want his bat as often as possible.
Turner can play on my team any day. But as a utility player and bat off the bench as you said.
Good Timing you reviewed him on his Borthday!
I think he colud be an everyday player. He reminds me of Wally Backman.
I dont know how many of his errors were at playing second.
But his range there was just adequate at best.
MF4E, eight errors at 2B last season.
Balanced review of Turner. Turner should not be excluded for consideration as a starter. Last season, he played multiple positions and often played injured when other players might have sat out. I believe the injury to his right thumb depleted some of his power, but he always seemed to get his bat on the ball when it mattered, particulary with runners on base.
Turner and Murphy are two guys that I absolutely characterize as keepers, and their skills are interchangeable to a good extent. They can start or come off the bench and always seem to have quality at bats, which bespeaks a “team oreinted” approach. I think Ruben Tejada has that quality, as well.
Defensively, Turner exceeded my expectations – he appears to have more range at 2nd base than Murphy, although Murphy appeared to have a better handle at 3rd base. I wouldn’t be surprised if Turner played a competent left field. Too bad these two weren’t groomed as back-up catchers earlier in their careers.
Don’t be surprised if Justin Turner becomes one of the hitters that benefits most from the changes at Citi Field. If he somehow manages to have 500 abs and reasonable health, his homerun total could approach somewhere b/w 15-20. Ditto for Daniel Murphy.
Happy Birthday, Justin Turner. Great job!!!
I was disappointed in his defense and his power, i dont even think he can hit double digit hr’s even thou he’s built like a linebacker. He had only 1 hr on the road. He hit better verse righties althou he bats right but im not sure the sample is large enough to matter. He did have some clutch rbi’s w guys on base but most of the season playing everyday, showed his leaks. If you compare him to the 2b starters around baseball, he’s bottom 10%..i think there’s a role for him on a mlb roster but he’s not an everyday player imo. We need to think bigger/better then Tuner imo unless rest of team is stacked..2b is like C and cf, id like to upgrade im just not sure who avail and at what cost..
In 2010 with Buffalo, Turner hit 10 homeruns in just over 300 abs.
In 2011 with the Mets, he captured NL Rookie of the Month – he was an RBI machine. At some point in late June, he injured his thumb, but continued to play after Murphy injured his knee and Reyes’ hamstring became balky.
An examination of his production with runners in scoring position generally and production in games late and close places him among the league leaders at 2nd base in production during crunch time. Production, production & more production. He’s among the 10 percent, for sure – not at the bottom, but at the top. Here’s his stats:
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=457759#sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2011&gameType='R‘
The Mets are stocked at 2b, but let’s see whether Reyes returns. The tea leaves say he’s not, so that places Tejada at SS and Turner, Murphy & Havens available at 2nd base. I would be surprised if, absent injury, Justin Turner did not hit .300 in 2012 with double digits in homeruns.
With Turner, he put up really good numbers in some very important categories. But he’s really more than just those stats. He gave up some at bats and played injured when other players might have elected not to.
I love this kid! He’s reminds me of a poor mans Phil Garner.Scrappy,plays the game hard,smart.Great to have on the bench and a spot starter/platoon player.Turner and Murphy coming off the bench means we have 2 good situational hitters on the bench.
If Turner and Tejeda came into 2012 knowing they were guaranteed a position at short and second results would show more consistence because they wouldn’t have to worry about losing their job.
Like to start by wishing Justin a Happy Birthday. Did I read the article correct that Justin was coming up as a SS. If that is the case and we do loss Jose R why don’t they look at keep Justin at SS and Ruben at second. or if Justin is also comfortable at third put him at third and move David W. over to SS. Didn’t he make comment about that type of move?
Happy Mets Fan Thanksgiving