A year ago, Brice Turang had one of the worst offensive seasons in MLB history. That’s not me being hyperbolic either. He literally was that bad.
Yet, Turang was still a positive WAR player. Despite his limitations with the lumber, Turang was sensational with the leather.
Brewers’ Turang has taken quantum leap offensively
In 2024, Turang has shined with both. The Brewers’ second baseman dazzles defensively, seemingly making a highlight nightly. This season, though, Turang has made a stunning turnaround with the bat.
In Spring Training, Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Turang was going to make a “quantum leap.” Murphy may have a crystal ball in his office, because Turang has taken a massive jump in production at the plate.
In 2023, Turang slashed .218/.285/.300 and had a measly 60 OPS+. In nearly 450 plate appearances, Turang had just 18 extra-base hits, a .585 OPS and six homers and 34 RBI the entire season.
This season, Turang has already hit as many homers (6), driven in more runs (43) and has more extra base hits (24), than he did all last year following his electric grand slam moment June 30 in a 7-1 win over the Cubs. Turang was hitting over .290 and had a 117 OPS+ before a swoon in July thus far.
While Turang was arguably one of the biggest All-Star snubs of 2024, the nimble second baseman probably needed the break. In just his second year, the daily grind of a 162-game season could be hitting Turang. In July, Turang is just 12 for 68 at the plate, slashing .176/.243/.200 with an OPS below .450. He hasn’t had an extra base-hit since July 4.
Turang is still slashing .270/.333/.376 and appears to be showing some signs of snapping out of his funk. Turang had the only RBI on a game-winning single in the 8th inning of a 1-0 win vs the Cubs Tuesday and came off the bench and collected an RBI single Wednesday.
Brice Turang hits the @Brewers FOURTH grand slam of this homestand! pic.twitter.com/MNgkWYV8FO
— MLB (@MLB) June 30, 2024
Leather work by Brewers 2B Turang is Gold Glove worthy
In addition to his quantum leap at the plate, Turang’s glove remains elite. Turang is an elite defender leading MLB in plus/minus Defensive Runs Saved with 14 and second in defensive runs saved with 13.
Brice Turang ranks 5th in MLB in Wins Above Replacement and defense is a big part of that.
9 Runs Saved ranks 3rd among 2nd basemen – and one of the best in MLB at going to his right pic.twitter.com/7dApwevBb2
— SIS_Baseball (@sis_baseball) June 28, 2024
Yet around the league and in national media circles, there is very little chatter around Turang. He didn’t make the finalists for the All-Star game voting. If you asked pundits for top-second basemen in MLB would Turang be mentioned? He should be.
Toolsy Turang one of most unheralded talents
While I think many Brewer fans were disappointed for Turang he didn’t get an All-Star nod, many are hoping the break gets Turang’s bat hot again. Turang has been superb with the bat until July after a horrendous year at the plate a season ago. With his range and Gold Glove-caliber defense, Turang is one of the most valuable defenders in all of baseball.
Now that his offense is no longer a negative coupled with his glove Turang is one of the most underrated players in MLB with his speed (31 stolen bases), defense and offensive tool-combination. Murphy’s quantum leap phrase looks prophetic now.
