Nationals call up Syracuse shortstop Turner

That didn't take long. Two months after being officially acquired by the Nationals, shortstop and 2014 first-round pick Trea Turner is headed to the Major Leagues.

The 13th overall pick by the Padres last summer, Turner was traded to Washington along with right-hander Joe Ross in the three-team, 11-player deal that also sent Wil Myers to San Diego. Because a year had not yet passed since he signed his first pro contract, Turner remained in the Padres system until June, when he was formally sent to the Nationals. (Major League Baseball has introduced a rule change addressing the situation, allowing future draftees to be dealt following that year's World Series.)

Despite the turmoil, Turner has had a remarkable first full season at all three of his stops thus far. The NC State product, who turned 22 at the end of June, torched the Texas League with a .322/.385/.471 line in 58 games for Double-A San Antonio. The Eastern League caught a glimpse of the phenom in June when Turner made a 10-game stop in Harrisburg after his acquisition by the Nationals. He went 14-for-39 (.359) with a triple, four doubles and four stolen bases before his promotion to Triple-A Syracuse.

Turner immediately became one of the Chiefs' top performers, hitting .314 with three homers and 31 runs scored in his first 48 Triple-A games. After spending his first 42 games in the field at shortstop, Turner manned second base for the first time in his pro career Tuesday and Wednesday, perhaps with an eye on adding versatility to the Nationals lineup. As with all the other changes, the move didn't ruffle Turner; he went 6-for-11 in the two games.

Turner's .322 batting average for the season ranks 21st among all full-season Minor Leaguers -- and his .314 average for Syracuse would rank second in the International League had he enough plate appearances to qualify. He's also stolen 29 bases while being caught just six times.

He joins a Nationals team that was expected to run away with the National League East but has gone 6-13 to fall four games behind the Mets. Shortstop Ian Desmond is batting just .227/.277/.386 after winning the Silver Slugger the past three seasons and second baseman Anthony Rendon, beset by injuries, has failed to match his breakout 2014. With Desmond becoming a free agent at the end of the season, Turner's promotion is the beginning of an extended tryout for the Nationals' 2016 starting shortstop job.