Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber sent down to minors
The Chicago Cubs have decided to send Kyle Schwarber down to the minors. What does this signal about Schwarber’s future with the Cubs?
Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber will report to AAA Iowa, per David Kaplan of CSN Chicago and ESPN Radio.
**Breaking News** Cubs are sending Kyle Schwarber to Class AAA Iowa. Not expected to be gone long but it is an opportunity to clear his head
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) June 22, 2017
The struggling Schwarber began the season stumbling, notching a batting line of .204/.333/.334 through April in the lead-off spot for the defending World Series champion Cubs. Through May, Schwarber’s production had dipped even further, as his line sat at .165/.286/.341 entering June. A far cry from production that earned him the loving nickname “Baby Ruth” in consecutive postseason performances.
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After being dropped from the lead-off spot in late May by manager Joe Maddon, Schwarber was regularly penciled in as the ninth hitter in the order for much of June. At the same time, Maddon announced that Schwarber would be entering a platoon role for the team, only batting against right-handed pitchers.
Through much of June, however, Schwarber has been penciled in to start more often than not, bringing into question the utility of announcing his platoon role. Schwarber has only sat out two games this month, and been brought in as a pinch hitter in only three more.
Regardless, it seems that the Cubs believe Schwarber could benefit from some time in the minors, despite his seeming return to form in his last 15 games, where he has a line of .205/.340/.545 and a Weighted On-Base Average of .370.
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Make no mistake, this move does not signal the Cubs “giving up” on Kyle Schwarber. In fact, it’s the opposite: The team will need Schwarber’s bat and mind in the right space if they are to contend as repeat-champions, and a brief sting clobbering pitchers in Iowa just might do the trick.