Here is a blind resume test:
Player A: 89 GP - .184/.313/.736 – 22 HRs, 49 RBI, 58 BBs, 117 Ks, -2.2dWAR
Player B: 89 GP - .249/.310/.758 – 15 HRs, 45 RBI, 27 BBs, 84 Ks, -1.7 dWAR
The reveal:
Player A is Kyle Schwarber’s 2023 season up to the All-Star break.
Player B is the first 89 games played for Tommy Joseph in 2017.
Yes, the same Tommy Joseph who lasted two seasons in the league and graced the Phillies teams in 2016 and 2017 that went 71-91 and 66-96 respectively.
To be clear, Kyle Schwarber is a much better ball player and brings a lot more value to a team than most baseball players who have suited up in the MLB and especially Tommy Joseph. But it’s interesting to see how his 2023 numbers stack up against a player that, we as Phillies fans, consider to be a very disappointing player. The point of this exercise is to really consider Kyle Schwarber’s true value to this Phillies team.