Justin Turner is a professional baseball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball (MLB). Over the course of his career, Turner has played a variety of positions, including third base, second base, and first base.
While he is primarily known as a third baseman, Turner’s versatility has allowed him to play multiple positions on the field.
One position that Turner has played in the past is first base, raising the question: Does Justin Turner play first base? We’ll explore Turner’s positions played, his performance at first base, and his current position on the team to determine whether or not he plays first base.
Justin Turner’s Positions Played
The Positions Turner Has Played in His Career
Justin Turner has played several positions throughout his career, including third base, second base, and first base.
He has primarily been a third baseman, starting 807 games at that position as of the end of the 2021 season. However, he has also started 130 games at second base and 25 games at first base.
Statistics for Each Position Played
At third base, Turner has put up impressive statistics, with a career batting average of .292, an on-base percentage of .369, and a slugging percentage of .465. He has hit 127 home runs and driven in 529 runs in his 13-year career.
At second base, Turner has a batting average of .281, an on-base percentage of .357, and a slugging percentage of .431. He has hit 16 home runs and driven in 78 runs while playing second base.
At first base, Turner has a batting average of .273, an on-base percentage of .333, and a slugging percentage of .364. He has hit two home runs and driven in 12 runs in his 25 starts at first base.
Turner’s Versatility and Value as a Utility Player
Turner’s ability to play multiple positions has made him a valuable utility player for the Dodgers. In addition to playing third base, second base, and first base, he has also played shortstop and left field in his career.
His versatility allows the Dodgers to move him around the field as needed to give other players rest or to fill in for injured players.
Turner’s consistency at the plate and his ability to play multiple positions make him a valuable asset to the team.
Justin Turner at First Base
Summary of the Number of Games Turner Has Played at First Base
Justin Turner has started 25 games at first base over the course of his career. He started eight games at first base in 2012 with the New York Mets, nine games there in 2013 with the Mets, two games there in 2014 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and six games there in 2015 with LA.
When and Why Turner Played First Base
Turner has played first base in the past when the team needed a replacement or to give other players rest. In 2012, he played first base for the Mets when Ike Davis was struggling with his performance.
In 2013, he played first base when Davis was injured. In 2014 and 2015, he played first base for the Dodgers when regular first baseman Adrian Gonzalez needed a break or was out of the lineup due to injury.
Turner’s Performance and Statistics at First Base
While Turner has not played first base regularly, he has put up decent numbers at the position. In his 25 starts at first base, he has a .273 batting average, a .333 on-base percentage, and a .364 slugging percentage.
He has hit two home runs and driven in 12 runs while playing first base. Turner’s limited experience at the position makes it difficult to draw any definitive conclusions about his performance, but he has shown that he can hold his own at first base when called upon.
Turner’s Current Position
Information on Turner’s Current Position on the Team
As of the end of the 2021 season, Justin Turner is primarily playing third base for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He started 110 games at third base in 2021 and played in a total of 126 games for the season.
How Turner’s Position Affects His Playing Time at First Base
Since Turner is the starting third baseman for the Dodgers, his playing time at first base is limited. The team has other players, such as Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger, who can play first base regularly, so Turner is not needed at the position on a regular basis.
However, if Muncy or Bellinger were to be injured or need a rest, Turner could potentially see some playing time at first base.
The Team’s Needs and How They Factor Into Turner’s Position
The Dodgers have several players who can play multiple positions, which gives the team flexibility and depth. With Muncy and Bellinger both able to play first base, and Turner locked in as the starting third baseman, the team does not necessarily need Turner to play first base regularly.
However, injuries and rest days are always a concern, so Turner’s ability to play multiple positions, including first base, is valuable to the team.
Ultimately, the team’s needs and the performance of other players will determine how often Turner plays at first base.
Justin Turner’s Career Stats at First Base
| Year | Team | Games Started | Innings Played | Putouts | Assists | Errors | Fielding Percentage | Batting Average | Home Runs | Runs Batted In |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | NYM | 8 | 73 | 63 | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | .269 | 1 | 2 |
| 2013 | NYM | 9 | 78 | 62 | 5 | 0 | 1.000 | .182 | 0 | 2 |
| 2014 | LAD | 2 | 18 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | .167 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | LAD | 6 | 48 | 44 | 4 | 0 | 1.000 | .357 | 1 | 4 |
| Total | 25 | 217 | 185 | 12 | 0 | 1.000 | .273 | 2 | 8 |
Note: This table shows the number of games started, innings played, defensive stats, and offensive stats for Justin Turner when playing at first base throughout his career.
FAQs
Has Justin Turner ever played any other positions besides third base and first base?
Yes, he has also played shortstop, second base, and outfield during his career.
Why hasn’t Justin Turner played first base more often, considering his versatility?
While Turner has played multiple positions, including first base, he has been primarily used as a third baseman in recent years due to his strong defensive abilities and consistent offensive production. Additionally, the Dodgers have other players who can play first base regularly, such as Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger.
Will Justin Turner see more playing time at first base in the future?
It is possible, especially if Muncy or Bellinger were to be injured or need a rest. However, Turner’s primary position on the team is third base, so his playing time at first base will likely be limited.
How important is Justin Turner’s versatility to the Dodgers?
Turner’s ability to play multiple positions, including first base, is valuable to the team. It gives the Dodgers flexibility and depth, especially during a long season where injuries and rest days are always a concern.
Conclusion
Justin Turner has played first base sparingly throughout his career but has shown that he can handle the position when needed. He has started 25 games at first base and has put up decent numbers with a .273 batting average and two home runs.
However, his current position as the starting third baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers limits his playing time at first base.
With other players on the team who can play first base regularly, Turner’s versatility and ability to play multiple positions are valuable to the team.
Ultimately, the team’s needs and the performance of other players will determine how often Turner plays at first base.
