How Good Can Kyle Schwarber Be?
First baseman Anthony Rizzo is 28 and now entering his prime. As a preview, he hit .273/.392/.507 with 32 home runs last year, which paired nicely with 26-year old C Wilson Contreras and his line of .276/.356/.499 and 21 home runs
And of course, leading them all was 3B Kris Bryant. His slash of .295/.409/.537 with 29 home runs and 38 doubles reveal a player who controls the strike zone with power.
But the scariest aspect of Chicago’s offense is that left-fielder Kyle Schwarber might be about to fulfill a lot of prophecies.
While it is true that Schwarber was second on the team with 30 home runs last year in only 422 AB’s (it took Bryant 549 AB’s to get his 29 HR), his line shows an all-or-nothing hitter: .211/.315/.467.
Less is More
This year, though, Kyle entered camp with a new approach to his weight and his hitting. Again, the always optimistic Maddon likes what he sees. This comes to us from a different article by Mr. Gonzales and the Trib:
"Schwarber, who lost at least 30 pounds in the offseason, didn’t hesitate as he rounded first and second base and showed no signs of fatigue as he pulled into third base. “I think (his swing) is more under control – more hands, less arms,” Maddon said. “With that, he’s doing it easier. I thought there was more body involvement, just a more grinding approach, and it’s eased up a bit. That’s what we’re seeing, and better adjustments with two strikes. Schwarber is hitting .361 with three doubles, one triple, three home runs, five walks and a .439 on-base percentage this spring."
If Schwarber can add discipline and some speed to his prodigious power, the Cubs might outhit and outpitch their competition. And their roster looks to be set for the next couple of years as well, so this is a team built to win now and for a while.
Meanwhile, in LA, another team built to win for a while might be a bit more vulnerable in 2018.