The Washington Nationals‘ decision to move Kyle Schwarber to the leadoff spot was met with a great deal of skepticism. While he had some experience in that role from his time in Chicago, he had not exactly performed well as a leadoff man. Likewise, Schwarber had struggled in Washington, failing to be the protection to Juan Soto and Trea Turner that he was expected to be.
But everything changed when Schwarber was placed in the leadoff role. He has gone on a ridiculous run, including this ridiculous homer to lead off the game on Monday night.
Kyle Schwarber is the first #Nats hitter to homer 14 times in a month. He's gone deep 14 times in 17 games. One of the best power surges ever. https://t.co/twXoIRbRb0
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) June 28, 2021
Kyle Schwarber on ridiculous run for Washington Nationals
With that home run, Schwarber became the first player in at least 50 years to hit 17 homers in 80 plate appearances. He also has 11 homers in his last nine games, tying Frank Howard for the most in MLB history over that span. Schwarber also has 15 homers in 11 days, the shortest span to hit that many homers.
That move to the leadoff spot worked well for Schwarber and the Nationals. Prior to Monday’s game, he had posted a .333/.406/.983 batting line in his 69 plate appearances in the leadoff spot in the lineup, belting 13 homers. In fact, every one of his extra base hits as a leadoff man this season have left the yard.
It is also not a surprise that Schwarber’s hot hitting has also led to a hot streak for the Nationals. They have surged from the bottom of the NL East to rise up to second in the division, giving the team the same feeling as the 2019 World Series winning squad.
There are still plenty of holes on the Nationals. They need to fix the back of their rotation and the lineup still has not produced as expected. However, Schwarber’s ascension as their leadoff hitter has helped minimize those issues over the course of June.
Kyle Schwarber has been on a tear since being moved into the leadoff spot. It is not a surprise that the Washington Nationals have been hot as well.