Philadelphia Phillies Grapefruit League games got underway on Saturday, but designated hitter Kyle Schwarber got his first spring training action on Sunday in the team’s home opener at BayCare Ballpark. His first at-bat went exactly how Phillies fans would have hoped after a long winter wait.
In his first appearance of the spring, facing Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Braxton Ashcraft, Schwarber blasted the fourth pitch of his first-inning at-bat, a 91.4 mph slider, well over the seats in right field for a solo home run to put the Phillies up 1-0. The home run was very reminiscent of Schwarber's MVP-caliber season in 2025, with a 438-foot moonshot at 108.7 mph off the bat.
He ended up going 1-for-2 after striking out in his second at-bat, but he did more than enough in the eventual Phillies’ 4-3 loss. Many fans are hoping/wondering if Schwarber can repeat what he did for the Phillies in 2025, and early spring training fireworks should give fans some ease.
438 ft. 108.7 mph off the bat.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) February 22, 2026
The first Schwarbomb of the year was absolutely mashed 💥 pic.twitter.com/axOmAd5dy3
Kyle Schwarber gives Phillies fans preview of regular season with first blast of spring training
Schwarber had a career year in 2025, one that had him finish second in the NL MVP voting. His 56 home runs and 132 RBIs both topped the NL and were career bests for the slugger. Schwarber turned in an already impressive resume with the Phillies before last season, and 2025 propelled him into an elite class as one of the best Phillies in franchise history.
His first home run of the 2026 spring training shows Schwarber is very much planning to keep the train rolling as the power hitter of the Phillies' lineup.
Schwarber walked into free agency after his historic 2025 season, giving any MLB team the chance to sign one of the most prolific power hitters the game has to offer. It never seemed right seeing Schwarber wearing any other uniform when it came down to it. Schwarber agreed with that sentiment and luckily chose to stay in Philadelphia on a five-year, $150 million deal, keeping the soon-to-be 33-year-old slugger through the 2030 season.
Outside his impressive offensive output and the 187 home runs he's hit as a member of the Phillies, he's become a tremendous leader in the clubhouse. They also need his continued leadership in their continued chase for a World Series title.
The clubhouse highly respects him, and he is a mentor to the younger players, which will be paramount with the young wave the club is expecting this season. Maybe Schwarber will eventually be able to teach them to hit absolute bombs like he can, but Phillies fans will settle for a hot start to spring for now.