Just a few months into star free agent Trea Turner’s first season with the Philadelphia Phillies, the city’s fan base is beginning to run out of patience with the shortstop.
Following a brutal 10-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Friday, Turner, who went 0-for-4, heard boos from the Citizens Bank Park crowd for the first time.
Turner has a .257 batting average with four home runs and 10 RBI through 44 games. This is not the production the Phillies expected when they signed him to an 11-year, $300 million contract in the offseason.
While it’s still very early, Turner’s struggles at the plate are alarming. He has yet to resemble the superstar the Phillies thought they were getting.
After going 27-of-86 with six RBI, seven walks and 20 strikeouts through the first 20 games of the season, Turner is batting only .212 with four RBI, five walks and 35 K’s over the last 24 games.
Turner’s slump is being magnified by the Phillies stuggles as team. They have lost five straight and 11 of their last 16 games following Friday’s thumping by the Cubs. The Phillies record sits at 20-24.
There is still plenty of time for Turner to right the ship and get back in the good graces of Phillie fans. I firmly believe that will happen. Turner is too good of a player, to struggle all season.
Phillies shortstop Trea Turner. Photo courtsey of Jeffrey McWhorter / Associated Press
