CINCINNATI (AP) – The Washington Nationals put first baseman Ryan Zimmerman on paternity leave before the start of their series against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night. Oh, and the Nationals also brought up shortstop prospect Trea Turner.
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Turner, widely considered the best position prospect in the Nationals system, is having a fine year at AAA Syracuse. He should be able to hit for a decent average and draw a fair number of walks – hence MLB.com writing that he has the potential to be a dynamic “top-of-the-order hitter.”
According to the Washington Post, Zimmerman’s wife, Heather, is soon due with the couple’s second child, and a paternity list stint can last up to three days.
He’s now hitting. 310 in Triple-A with three homers and 24 runs batted in, while getting on-base at a. 376 clip.
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Presuming that Turner is in D.C.to stay, he’s likely to shore up two of the Nationals’ weakest links. Through 198 plate appearances, the 29-year-old is sitting right at the Mendoza Line even though he’s more than halfway to eclipsing last season’s home run total of 13 (he has seven). 173 with a. 228 on-base percentage. Through 50 games this season, Turner is batting.
