

Turner Turner. (AP Photo/John Locher)

After agreeing to the deal in December, the Nationals are expected to finally complete the much-awaited trade for Trea Turner soon. The shortstop prospect — technically the “player to be named later” in the three-team trade — can join the Nationals beginning June 14, according to people familiar with the situation, a full year after he signed his draft deal with the San Diego Padres.

Turner, who will turn 22 at the end of the month, has been playing well for the Padres’ Class AA affiliate in San Antonio. He is hitting .322/.389/.478 with five home runs, 30 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 53 games. All of his games in the field have been at shortstop.

Based on rules that have been since been changed, Turner couldn’t be traded for a year after he signed. Turner was the Padres’ first-round pick in 2014, the 13th overall selection out of North Carolina State. He signed a deal with a $2.9 million signing bonus on June 13, 2014. So the first possible day he can be traded is June 14 of this year.

The Nationals have already reaped returns, albeit minor so far, from the trade. In the trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and Padres, the Nationals sold outfield prospect Steven Souza Jr. at his peak value and added minor league starter Travis Ott. In return, they received pitching prospect Joe Ross, a 2011 first-round pick who made a strong first impression in his debut last weekend, and Turner.

Turner is considered a possible replacement for Ian Desmond, who will be a free agent at year’s end and hasn’t reached a contract extension with the Nationals in past negotiations. While some scouts say Turner may profile as a second baseman, the Nationals believe he is capable of staying at shortstop. He has hit at every level so far — he hit .323 in 2014 — and will add strength to his 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame with time. Speed is his most outstanding trait.

Turner, rated by Baseball America as the Padres’ No. 2 overall prospect, is believed to be headed to Class AA Harrisburg upon joining the Nationals.