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Slumping Trea Turner on his early-season performance: ‘I’ve sucked’

The MLB season isn’t even one-third over, but it doesn’t take long for disappointment to set in. Especially when things aren’t going well.

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner didn’t mince words after Monday night’s home loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks: “I’m honest with myself. I’ve sucked.”

After crushing five homers and driving in 11 runs over six games in the World Baseball Classic, Turner has just four homers and 11 RBI in his first 46 games since signing an 11-year, $300 million free agent contract with the Phillies this past offseason.

The 2021 NL batting champion with a .302 career batting average entering the season is hitting just .256 − including an 0-for-22 slump with runners in scoring position he finally snapped against the Diamondbacks with an RBI single in the seventh inning. But it was still too little, too late to make a difference in the Phillies’ 6-3 loss.

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Trea Turner flips his bat after striking out in the first inning in Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.  In the first year of an 11-year, $300 million contract, Turner is hitting .256/.303/390 with four home runs and six stolen bases in 46 games.

Trea Turner flips his bat after striking out in the first inning in Monday’s game against the Diamondbacks. In the first year of an 11-year, $300 million contract, Turner is hitting .256/.303/390 with four home runs and six stolen bases in 46 games.

With the Phillies suffering their sixth loss in the last eight games on Monday, Turner has even begun to hear boos at home.

“I think I’m a positive guy. I think I can always do better and can always be better,” he said. “That’s the attitude I have, but at the same time, I know when I don’t do something right.”

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With Turner and Kyle Schwarber both struggling, Rhys Hoskins out for the season with a knee injury and Bryce Harper just recently returning to the lineup following elbow surgery, the Phils are 22-25 and in fourth place − seven games behind the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves.

Turner’s problem is he’s swinging and missing more frequently (71% contact rate) than he has since his rookie season. And his hard contact is way down as well. Still, he’s hopeful a hot streak is just around the corner.

“If you harp on yesterday or you harp on the last at-bat,” Turner said, “it’s just going to snowball on you, you’re not going to be able to turn it around.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trea Turner admits he’s ‘sucked’ in first season with Phillies