With a team full of elite players and October experience, the Philadelphia Phillies had high expectations going into the 2025 Major League Baseball season. The Phillies made it apparent that anything less than a championship would be disappointing after making deep playoff runs in a row.
But the journey has been a little more difficult than expected, almost a month into the season. The Phillies are struggling through some early difficulty as they sit at 13-13 and are currently having a five-game losing streak.
The offensive is still quite strong and in the top ten despite the current slide. However, not all of the stars have performed well, and Trea Turner is quietly gaining more attention due to her quiet start, which has sparked some early-season concerns.
Turner’s Quiet Start in Phillies Offense
Power at the plate and speed on the basepaths remain the foundation of Philadelphia’s aggressive offensive identity. Trea Turner, signed to be a dynamic presence atop the lineup, has taken more of a supporting role while Bryce Harper continues to dominate headlines with his fiery leadership.
Known for his lightning speed, sharp bat, and game-changing ability, Turner has gotten off to a slower start in the 2025 season than many anticipated.
Mark DeRosa, who will manage Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, recently appeared on the Phillies Show and offered insight into Turner’s slow start.
“The pressure of carrying a $300 million contract, regardless of whether you’re going to play a little bit in the shadow of a Bryce Harper, is still there,” DeRosa said. “When he does struggle, he’s susceptible to swinging at spin… controlling the strike zone and getting on base is key.”
Turner’s .247 batting and .662 OPS through 26 games fall well short of the lofty goals he set early in his career. Overall, the Phillies’ offense hasn’t skipped a beat, but Turner’s production has yet to fully ignite. The explosive stolen bases and consistent extra-base hits that once defined his game have been largely absent so far.
Still, Turner has stayed composed, expressing confidence that as the weather warms up, so will his bat. His role—setting the table, creating chaos on the bases, and opening lanes for the power hitters behind him—is essential. If Turner can find his rhythm, he could be the spark that lifts an already top-ten offense out of its current slump.