Kyle Schwarber passes first real test at first base with solid defensive day
TAMPA, Fla. — If Kyle Schwarber’s Phillies teammates like to see their designated hitter play defense once in a while, they got a few opportunities to watch him flash the leather on Friday night. After having no balls hit his way in his first infield earlier this spring, Schwarber’s second appearance at first base was more eventful.
The veteran made two impressive, mobile plays to his right and stayed with another ball after knocking it down to complete the out during a 6-5 Grapefruit League loss to the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field. Starting pitcher Taijuan Walker appreciated the effort.
“He’s athletic,” Walker said. “… He looked really good over there: calm, comfortable, like he’s been there his whole career.”
Schwarber played some first base with the Red Sox late in the 2021 season, and it wasn’t the smoothest experience. He’s giving it another shot this spring training to try to give some other regulars, such as Bryce Harper, a day off their feet sparingly throughout the season. The other Phillies like to have fun with it.
“They always give me crap whenever I’m in the field,” Schwarber said. “It’s fun. You’re able to smile and laugh, and you can take it, give it back. And I like it, too.”
Schwarber has worked daily with infield coach Bobby Dickerson to get better at the position, and he is taking the situation seriously. He’s putting in the work to get better and make a contribution with his glove.
“It’s a challenge,” Schwarber said. “It’s a learning curve. It would be the easy thing to just come here, pick up a bat and try to keep swinging, but you can learn something new.”
On Friday, Schwarber looked like a player who’s put real focus on his defense. Early in the game, he shuffled to his right, picked a grounder off the hop and hit Walker in stride at the first-base bag for a clean out. He then made a diving play to his right and flipped to the pitcher again.
Later, Schwarber booted a bouncing ball, but he remained calm and recovered it to save the out. It wasn’t perfect, but he looked fairly nimble and competent.
“The last play that he bobbled, he just misread the hop, and that’s going to happen,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “He just needs more reps. That’s all. But he looks fine.”
Thomson has liked Schwarber’s progress at first base and indicated he’d be comfortable using him there during the regular season.
“Sure,” Thomson said, “because I think he’s only going to get better. He does a lot of work with Bobby every day, and he’s adjusting.”
Games like Friday’s will only help Schwarber become more acquainted with the position ahead of Opening Day. He knows he’s not going to win a Gold Glove or even play there more than occasionally, but he sees this as a path to bringing more than just his power bat. And if things keep going the way they’re trending, Schwarber should keep his first baseman’s mitt handy.
“I’m definitely getting more confident as it goes,” Schwarber said. “But like I said, you gotta be able to take that learning curve and go from there.”
