Turner was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Turner had a small shot to crack the Opening Day roster for Washington, but he'll head back to the minors after a tough spring at the plate. Although he'll start the season in the minors, there is a good chance that the top prospect will return to the Nationals early on in the season after his service time is low enough so that Washington can maintain an extra year of control over their young shortstop.

Turner is hitting just .192/.290/.346 through his first 26 spring at-bats, although he is a perfect 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts.

EDGE Analysis

Danny Espinosa is just 2-for-20 this spring, but Turner still isn't doing enough with the bat to put any real pressure on the Nationals to consider him for the starting job at shortstop. Look for him to begin the season at Triple-A, but a callup could come very quickly once Turner's major league service time, as it applies to arbitration or his eventual eligibility for free agency, is no longer a concern.

Nationals manager Dusty Baker called Turner a "dynamic player" following Monday's intrasquad game, but also strongly suggested that Danny Espinosa would be his Opening Day shortstop, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This isn't much of a surprise, although GM Mike Rizzo left the door open for Turner to win the starting job a couple of weeks ago. Even if the 22-year-old begins the season at Triple-A, however, he could remain in the minors only long enough to postpone his eventual free agency by a year before getting the call and pushing Espinosa aside. Despite the fact that he probably won't begin the season on the 25-man roster, Turner remains an intriguing late-round upside play.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said Thursday that he would consider bringing Turner north as the team's starting shortstop if he wins the job in spring training, the Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The current depth chart has Danny Espinosa at shortstop being backed up by Stephen Drew, with Turner beginning the season at Triple-A, but the 22-year-old is clearly the club's shortstop of the future and will be given a long look this spring. Even if he doesn't break camp on the 25-man roster, however, Turner could still get called up once service time considerations are no longer an issue. If you're looking for help in steals, Turner makes for an intriguing stash.

Turner got the start at second base Tuesday, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo shot, his first career major league home run.

EDGE Analysis

The homer accounted for the only Nats run on the night. With Ian Desmond all but certain to leave as a free agent in the offseason, Turner will head into spring training in 2016 as the favorite to man the starting shortstop position.

Turner will make his first major league start Friday, playing second base and batting eighth against the Marlins, Jacob Emert of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Turner's start likely comes as the result of injuries that will hold both Yunel Escobar and Michael Taylor out of Friday's lineup. It's been a slow start for the youngster, going hitless in his first five at-bats, but a start Friday could give him enough chances to get that out of the way. However, Turner's role with the club likely remains mainly as a bench player, impacting the game mostly as a pinch hitter and pinch runner when the regulars are healthy.

Turner, 22, is batting .273/.298/.400 with one home run, five RBI and two steals through 15 games since being promoted to Triple-A. Turner's stock is on the rise, though the Nationals still have Ian Desmond and perhaps even Wilmer Difo ahead of him on the depth chart. While a trade or injury could change things, as of right now Turner's impact at the MLB level won't come until September at the earliest.

Turner was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, James Wagner of the Washington Post reports. Just 10 days after he officially joined the Nationals' organization following the completion of a December trade with the Padres, Turner is already off to his next destination. The 21-year-old slashed a combined .327/.382/.477 across 295 plate appearances between Double-A San Antonio and Double-A Harrisburg, fully demonstrating that he was ready for a new challenge. While Turner doesn't offer premium power at shortstop, he's shown an adept batting eye since being drafted out of North Carolina State last year, and accents it with 70-grade speed. Turner, who was also named to the All-Star Futures Game on Thursday, could be the Nationals' starting shortstop as soon as 2016 if the team chooses to let Ian Desmond walk in free agency.

Turner acquired by the Nationals on Sunday, completing a three-team deal dating back to Dec. 18. Turner, who is batting .322 with five homers and 11 steals for Double-A San Antonio, will be assigned to Double-A Harrisburg for his first game with his new organization. The acquisition will officially complete the three-team deal that landed outfielder Steven Souza in Tampa Bay this offseason. The 21-year-old Turner has been impressive so far, but is currently blocked by Ian Desmond at the Major League level. He could get a look as a September call-up, however.

Turner is hitting .344/.422/.522 with five home runs and nine steals in 181 plate appearances with Double-A San Antonio. Turner is riding a 12-game hitting streak that has helped boost his batting average to second among active players in the Texas League. It is hard to say how much luck has gone into his .344 average, as his .408 BABIP obviously raises a red flag, but Turner has plus-plus speed and hits everything hard, so it may not be too inflated. While he continues to play for the Padres' affiliate at Double-A for the time being, Turner will be allowed to join the Nationals' organization on June 13, completing a trade that was agreed to this offseason.