To illustrate a point about baseball’s most overlooked superstar, Kevin Long reached for statistics no player has bundled in more than a century. Trea Turner, the Washington Nationals shortstop, is the fastest everyday player in the majors. He also hit .335 last season. Those skills can make a coach dream big.
“Let’s say he hits .330 with 75 stolen bases,” Long, the Nationals hitting coach, said by phone from spring training in West Palm Beach, Fla. “His No. 1 tool is his speed, no doubt about it. But is the industry recognizing that? No. Well, you know what, Trea, let’s use that tool and take this thing to another level.