Phillies news and rumors 8/23: Kyle Schwarber could do something we’ve never seen before

Kyle Schwarber is in his second season with the Phillies. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

When the Philadelphia Phillies signed Kyle Schwarber to a four-year contract prior to the start of the 2021 season, they did so because of his offensive ability. Schwarber had a knack for working counts, drawing walks and hitting for power before signing with the Phillies. And he’s continued doing those things since putting on the red pinstripes.

Last year, Schwarber found a home atop Philadelphia’s lineup with great success. As the club’s main leadoff hitter, he slugged 46 regular-season home runs and drew 86 walks. He then hit six more home runs during the postseason.

Altogether, Schwarber slashed .218/.323/.504 during the regular season a year ago with a 131 OPS+ — meaning he was 31 percent better than the league-average hitter.

The left-handed hitter has continued to hit homers — he has 33 right now — and draw walks (96) in 2023, but his overall production at the plate hasn’t been what it was in 2022. Through 125 games, Schwarber’s slash line is at .184/.330/.435. He also has a 108 OPS+. He went 1-for-3 with a double and two walks in the Phillies’ 4-3 walk-off win over the San Francisco Giants.

While batting average isn’t looked at as the end-all-be-all statistic for hitters anymore, it’s still an important number. And with Schwarber hitting below the Mendoza Line at the moment, one would think his offensive production this year has been awful. But we know it hasn’t been. His 108 OPS+ means he’s been a slightly-above-average hitter.

So while awful isn’t the right word for what Schwarber is doing at the plate this season, there is another word that fits his output. That word is rare.

During the Modern Era, which dates back to 1900, there have only been three players to hit below .200 in a season while also hitting at least 30 home runs.

Mark Reynolds became the first player to do so in 2010 with the Arizona Diamondbacks when he batted .198 with 32 long balls. Joey Gallo and Eugenio Suárez then reached the feat in 2021. Gallo, who played for the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees that year, posted a .199 batting average along with 38 homers. Suárez, then a member of the Cincinnati Reds, hit .198 with 31 home runs.

Unless Schwarber goes on an absolute tear that boosts his batting average between now and the end of the 2023 campaign, he would became just the fourth player ever to hit below .200 and hit 30-plus homers in the same season. And while that’s pretty crazy to think about, he’s on pace to do something no player ever has before.

Schwarber is currently on pace to hit around 42 homers this season. If he reaches that milestone while also batting below the .200 mark, the Phillies outfielder/designated hitter would become the first player ever to hit 40-plus homers and bat no higher than .200 in the same season. Adam Dunn, who hit 41 home runs while batting .204 for the Chicago White Sox in 2012, has the lowest single-season batting average among 40-plus home run hitters.

To take things even further, if the Phillies make the postseason — they’re currently in sole possession of the first spot in the NL wild card standings — Schwarber would become the first player ever to hit 30-plus homers, hit below .200 and appear in a playoff game with the team he started the season with (Gallo started 2021 with the Rangers and appeared in the postseason with the Yankees).

It’s been a weird year for Schwarber. Many thought the new defensive shift limitations would increase his batting average from where it was last year. But that hasn’t been the case.

He is, however, headed towards putting together a season we’ve never seen before.

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