Kyle Schwarber
The second-year Phillie stepped into an even bigger role for the team in 2023.
After the loss of Rhys Hoskins early into Spring Training, the team immediately lost 30 home runs out of the lineup. Schwarbers' unorthodox, new-age style of leadoff hitting is very confusing to people new to baseball, but the numbers don't lie. When he's in the leadoff spot, the team wins games. As the Schwarbarian goes, the Phillies go.
In the Phillies' 88 wins that he participated in, the 30-year-old hit 94 points higher (.243 vs. .139), had 17 more home runs, drove in 48 more runs, and had an OPS of .972. He displayed his postseason prowess again, hitting five home runs in the NLCS against the Diamondbacks.
KYLE SCHWARBER WELCOMES ZAC GALLEN BACK HOME! pic.twitter.com/T5sCVU6RRe
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) October 17, 2023
He had his struggles in left field however, attributing to his 0.6 WAR on the year, but he was never really meant to be out there in the first place.
Schwarber has his perks, and he has his downfalls. It's frustrating watching him strike out a league-leading 215 times, but it's euphoric when he hits the ball over the wall 47 times a year. It's frustrating when he watches pitches that seem right over the middle in 2-2 or 3-2 counts, but it's incredible when he walks 126 times throughout the season, second to only Juan Soto.
His leadership, looseness, and motivation were uplifting parts of this season for the team. What he does, not only on the field but off, is worth every penny of his contract and brings a winning culture to Philadelphia.
Grade: B+