Kyle Schwarber among Phillies legends on first-half HR list

Kyle Schwarber has the second-most HRs in Phillies history before the break.

When thinking of Philadelphia Phillies franchise greats who were known to hit awe-inspiring home runs during their tenure in red pinstripes, most fans would say Mike Schmidt, Ryan Howard, and Jim Thome — to name a few.

But in the first season of his four-year contract, Kyle Schwarber is homering at a rate that — if continued — could one day put his name in the same breath as Schmidt, Howard and Thome. Judging by this impressive Phillies franchise feat, the two-time All-Star and 2016 World Series champion might already be halfway there.

With his 29th home run contributing to a 10-0 rout of the Miami Marlins on Saturday, Schwarber surpassed a three-way tie between him, Howard and Thome for the second-most home runs hit by a Phillie before the All-Star break. Only Mike Schmidt has hit more, going yard 31 times in the first half of the 1979 season.

Most Phillies HRs Before the All-Star Break:

• Mike Schmidt: 31 (1979)
• Kyle Schwarber: 29 (2022)
• Ryan Howard: 28 (2006)
• Ryan Howard: 28 (2008)
• Jim Thome: 28 (2004)

The next time Phillies fans will see Schwarber go yard will be at Monday evening’s Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium. The 29-year-old will compete against reigning Derby champion Pete Alonso, along with Juan Soto, Ronald Acuna Jr., Corey Seager, Julio Rodriguez, Jose Ramirez, and Albert Pujols.

Schwarber previously participated in the Home Run Derby in 2018, opposing two future teammates in Rhys Hoskins and Bryce Harper (then of the Washington Nationals).

The win Schwarber’s bat helped to secure on Saturday was especially symbolic, as it marked the first time the Phillies won a road series in Miami in three seasons. With postseason hopes still alive in at least the Wild Card standings, this strong finish to the first half could go a long way for interim manager Rob Thomson’s squad.