Despite a decent outing on Sunday, Bryce Harper is feeling increasingly frustrated.
The two-time National League MVP and an eight-time All-Star went 2-for-2 with a home run in the Phillies’ 11-9 defeat against the Diamondbacks.
However, within the context of the game, Harper has a solid overall performance, hitting 47-6 in his last 11 games, with the homer marking his first in 13 attempts.
“I’m just irritated on a bigger level,” Harper remarked after the game. “I just want to come in for the team and play well. Sure, I’ve been through tougher ruts in my career, but it’s frustrating for the fans and my teammates.”
Even though his strong performance might indicate he’s pulling out of a slump, he still squandered a chance to clinch the game during the tenth inning.
“Even at that last moment, I felt I performed better, taking better at-bats. So I feel like I’m evolving as a player,” he added.
This season, his OPS is the lowest it’s been during his seven years with the Phillies, just above the worst point of his entire career.
His batting average sits at .234, marking the lowest of his career.
However, with the season still in its early stages, Harper has both time and the confidence to make a comeback.
“Clearly, I’m not where I want to be. I’ve experienced stretches like this before. It happens. I’ve bounced back, and I know I can do it again,” he said. “But it’s just these annoying moments that make it hard to push through.”
Philadelphia stands at 19-15 and is looking up at the Mets, trailing by 2.5 games in the NL East.
“I’ve improved thanks to my teammates and fans; they’re rooting for me. This organization hopes for my success too,” Harper stated. “I think I’m holding myself to a higher standard, and my teammates do too.”
