2018 Dodgers Review: Justin Turner

Justin Turner has gone from a non-roster invitee in 2014 to a clubhouse leader entering the 2019 season. Turner also supports the community and he remains a presence both in person at Dodger Stadium off-season events and on social media.

Turner is also now one the best offensive players in Los Angeles Dodger history. For players with over 2000 plate appearances, Turner ranks among the best to wear the Blue at Dodger Stadium.

• Gary Sheffield - .998 OPS (2276 PA)
• Mike Piazza - .966 OPS (3017 PA)
• Reggie Smith - .915 OPS (2055 PA)
• Pedro Guerrero - .893 OPS (4089 PA)
• Justin Turner - .889 OPS (2352 PA)
• Shawn Green - ,876 OPS (3462 PA)

What went right

Turner did not get off strong after he returned from his injury but after the All-Star Break, and especially after he returned from his second trip to the disabled list, Turner was one of the best hitters in baseball.

In the second half, Turner was one of five batters with a minimum of 200 plate appearances to have an OPS higher than 1.000. Only Cristian Yelich and his 1.219 OPS was higher than Turner’s 1.066.

Turner was the National League Player of the Month in for his super hot August. He hit .402/.491/.722 in 114 plate appearances. ]

Justin Turner and Manny Machado were the only daily regulars in September. Turner made that decision look right by following his Player of the Month campaign with a .314/.408/.520 batting line in 120 plate appearances in September and October.

What went wrong

In the last full week of Spring Training, Oakland A’s pitcher Kendall Graveman hit Turner and that hit by pitch caused a broken left wrist.

Turner would miss the first 40 games of the season. The Dodger record during that stretch was 16-24. Turner would also miss 10 games with a right groin strain at the end of July.

Overall, Turner played in 103 games, starting 90 at third base and four as the designated hitter.

2018 particulars

Age: 34

Stats: Turner had his second straight year of a .300+ batting average, a .400+ on base percentage and a .500+ slugging percentage.

Turner’s line of .312/.406/.518 in 426 plate appearances was just under his .322/.415/.530 line in 543 plate appearances in 2017.

Mike Trout is the only other player to have the same type of batting line in both 2017 and 2018. And this is with no minimum number of plate appearances for that season.

Game of the year

Justin Turner loves Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, well at least the last two times he played in them.

Roster status

Justin Turner is entering his third year of his four year contract. He will earn $18M in 2019.