Nationals prospect Turner impresses Werth

MIAMI -- During his rehab stint with Triple-A Syracuse recently, Nationals veteran outfielder Jayson Werth was impressed with what he saw from shortstop Trea Turner, the Nats' No. 2 prospect according to MLB.com.

Werth noticed that Turner is fast and his bat makes a loud noise that one only hears in the Major Leagues.

"He has some ability, tools," Werth said. "I was only there for seven days. His speed and his ability to square up a baseball in a game or BP were impressive. He's toolsy. He needs to play and he needs to develop, but he has some skills."

Werth also called Turner a humble player who is just one of the guys. For example, the players on the Chiefs love to play cards, and Tuner fits right in with his teammates, according to Werth.

"You hear about these guys and you don't know what to believe sometimes, so it's good to get to see it for yourself," Werth said.

Turner is expected to be the Nationals' starting shortstop by next year. But Werth didn't want to talk about that possibility because Werth's good friend, Ian Desmond, is currently Washington's starting shortstop. Desmond will be a free agent at the end of this season.

"I'm not ready to think that far ahead," Werth said. "That will be a sad day [when the time comes that Desmond is gone]. We have become friends. To think about it in that respect, I'm not ready for that yet."