Phillies shortstop Trea Turner isn't one to pull punches. The $300 million man has had a rough go of things since trading the Chavez Ravine for Citizen Bank Park in the winter.
Turner sits way below his career averages in batting average, on-base percentage and OPS for the 22-25 Phils, who sit fourth in the NL East. That's not quite what Philadelphians had in mind when they heard they secured the services of the two-time All-Star in free agency.
It's been a rather frustrating spell for Turner, who has earned MVP votes in each of the past three seasons.
But no one is a harder critic of the lanky shortstop than himself, and he recently offered a candid assessment of his recent performances.
"I'm honest with myself, I've sucked," Turner said, per ESPN.
MORE: Where do Orioles' new uniforms fit among City Connect redesigns?
Turner came to the City of Brotherly Love with plenty of fanfare, but his returns have proved rather underwhelming to date. A slash line of .256/.303/.390 and .693 OPS doesn't make for pretty viewing. A 26.9% strikeout rate — eight percentage points above his career rate — is even worse.
Not only is Turner whiffing on more pitches than he ever has, but when he makes contact, it tends to be weak. His average exit velocity ranks in the 36th percentile among big-league hitters.
In short, Turner is struggling to find his rhythm at the plate. And he knows that.
"I tell myself straight, and I don't lie to myself," Turner said. "I think I'm a positive guy. I think I can always do better and can always be better. That's the attitude I have, but at the same time, I know when I don't do something right."
MORE: Why Dodgers banned, re-invited controversial group for LGBTQIA+ Pride Night
Turner is far from the only Phillies hitter struggling at this point. Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto are way short of their blistering 2022 performances. As a result, Philadelphia is tied for 10th in the Senior Circuit in runs scored entering play on Tuesday.
It hasn't all been bad for Turner. He's graded in as an above-average fielder (70th percentile in outs above average), so he provides Philadelphia with defensive value at the all-important shortstop position.
He also feels he's on the up-and-up. The process has been right, Turner says. It's just the decision-making that has been flawed.
"It's just that consistency. If I think I can do that for four or five at-bats in a day, then for a week and a month, and then I'll feel a little bit better and more satisfied," Turner said. "But you just have to battle. ... I feel like it's all decision-making. The swing's felt pretty good now for two, three weeks. But the decision-making is pretty hit-or-miss."
Manager Rob Thomson agrees with that assessment.
"It looks like he's coming," Thomson said.
