Kyle Schwarber Has Taken Over A New Month
Kyle Schwarber has had an outstanding start to the 2nd half of the season, and he needed it. For the money he is making, hitting below the Mendoza Line and being the worst fielder in baseball isn’t really earning his paycheck… unless he hits a bunch of home runs. Well, after Tuesday night’s leadoff homer against the Milwaukee Brewers, Schwarber has now homered in 4 straight games. It has been a great stretch for the Phillies’ non-prototypical leadoff hitter, and it’s not the typical time for him to do it either.
He is arguably the greatest hitter in the month of June in the history of baseball, but as we reach late July, this month has shown a resurgence in Schwarber’s game that he and the Phillies both desperately needed. So, with Hoagiefest and June both behind us, has Schwarber finally broken out?
FIRST PITCH, SEE YA!
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) July 18, 2023
Fourth straight game with a homer for Kyle. 1-0 Phillies EARLY pic.twitter.com/5F1CnXmTXH
Well, he’s always hit home runs in bunches, so I wouldn’t say that it’s a sure thing Schwarber is clear of his struggles, but he sure is playing well right now. He also had a great defensive play in Tuesday’s win, and his average is creeping up towards the .200 mark. If he’s going to remain in the leadoff spot (and he is), it’s very important to the Phillies’ success that he continues this type of trajectory. July has been very kind to the slugger, and with 12 more games remaining in the month, there’s still plenty of time to build on the new legend of July Schwarber. He’s also going to get another added benefit soon that should give him an opportunity to focus more on his swing.
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Bryce Harper is ready to play 1st base, and while his ability to do so is still somewhat up in the air, it would allow Schwarber to move to his natural spot of DH. Schwarber has never been built to be an everyday fielder at the Major League level, and yet, this year, he has played in all 94 games. That takes a toll on every player, much more so on a man built like Schwarber. Who knows what benefits will come with his ability to sit in the dugout between at bats, get some swings in in the cage, and rest his legs. This is a great time for Schwarber, and in turn, a great time for the Phillies.
So yes, July Schwarber is here. What has not quite come around, though, is a pair of other stars. JT Realmuto and Trea Turner still need their own personal breakthroughs, and while their track record suggests that will be coming eventually, it helps that the power potential of the lineup has gone up exponentially with Schwarber getting hot. Pennants are not won in July, but that doesn’t matter to the king of summer in Philadelphia. It’s great to see Schwarbombs as a regularity once again at The Bank.
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9 Bullpen Options For The Phillies At The Trade Deadline
Scott Barlow- RHP, Royals
Like several of the Phillies bullpen guys, a slow start has his ERA a bit inflated. But since May he has been pretty deadly. Barlow has shut teams out in 18 of his 23 outings since May 1st. And his ERA was under 3 in each of the past two seasons. He is arbitration eligible for one more season and then will be a free agent in 2025. The Royals are way out of contention. So it could make sense to move their closer at the deadline.
He obviously would not be closing here, or even be in the setup role. But he would be a solid addition as a middle-inning guy. And then would have him for at least one more season.
(Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
Joe Kelly- RHP- White Sox
Outside of Aroldis Chapman, who has already been traded, Joe Kelly has been one of the most popular bullpen pieces in trade conversations. The 4.82 ERA would scare some people away, but it is misleading. He struggled in April, but pitched well in May and June. And the stuff is there. His fastball still hits 99, and his curveball is up there in terms of spin rate.
He did go onto the IL in June. But he should be off of it soon. And once he is, should be a prime candidate to be traded. The White Sox are way out of the playoff race. Kelly has one club option left after this season and is due 9.5 million next year if it is picked up.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Brad Hand- LHP- Rockies
Speaking of reunions, Brad Hand is also available. He is not quite as enticing of a reunion though. He did not perform that well in the playoffs last season. He had his moments, and his regular season stats were impressive, but in the playoffs, it was often an adventure with him on the mound.
Still, he is having a solid season even pitching in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field. His ERA was 3.62 before a recent awful outing blew it up. And he will likely be cheap. If the Phillies blow most of their trade assets bringing in another star hitter and want to go cheap with bullpen help, there are worse options. But there are also many better options.
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
