May 16, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) awaits his turn at bat against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at San Francisco Giants
(New York, NY) — Look away, Phillies fans.
Last season, Philadelphia w-/ two wins away from their first World Series win since 2008. This offseason, the Phillies went “win-now” move, and got Trea Turner with a 11-year, $300 million contract. And while he dominated in the World Baseball Classic for Team USA, the shortstop is not playing like himself this year.
Here’s the super stat: Turner has fewer home runs and RBIs to his credit through 44 games in the 2023 season than he did in the limited amount of time playing in the WBC. He had 5 HR and 11 RBIs in 6 games for the states, versus 4 HR and 10 RBI for Philly.
“It’s tough,” Trea Turner told reporters. “This game’s not easy. It’s really humbling. You come into the year thinking you’re on a high from last year, we’ve got some new pieces, it’s going to go great, but it kicks you right in the mouth. We’ve got to figure it out.”
Turner looks very much like a player who is pressing. He has swung at nearly 38% of the pitches he’s seen outside the strike zone, far and away the highest rate of his career, and that has led to a career high (by far) 27.1% strikeout rate
Yikes. Maybe the panic button needs a few pushes.
The 22-24 Phillies look to get back on track against the Diamondbacks on Monday.
