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Kincade & Salciunas: Weekdays 6am – 10am

Kincade & Salciunas: Weekdays 6am – 10am

Kincade & Salciunas: Weekdays 6am – 10am

Kyle Schwarber’s Outrageous Stat Line Against the Pirates

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Author and Colin Newby

Kyle Schwarber has sparked one of the hottest debates in the world of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023.

The decision by manager Rob Thomson to use a .183 hitter in the leadoff spot is non-traditional to say the least. It goes against the logic used in baseball for generations. However, Tim Kurkjian recently told The John Kincade Show that a new logic rules the decision-making.

“This is the way it works with Kyle Schwarber. You accept this because this is the way the game is played today, as we know. Walks, homers, strikeouts, and Kyle Schwarber is like the poster boy for all three.” -Tim Kurkjian

Kurjian’s point was never more true than during a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

A Bizarre Weekend for Kyle Schwarber

Schwarber walked eight times in three games, tying the record first set by Von Hayes for most walks in a three-game series in franchise history, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia.

He finished with more walks than official at-bats (7). One of his two hits left the yard, meaning he stepped to the plate 15 times and put the ball in the field of play once. He struck out five times, meaning he did not record an out when making contact.

  • Friday 7/28: 2/2 HR, 2B, 3 BB
  • Saturday 7/29: 0/2 2 K, 3 BB
  • Sunday 7/30: 0/3 3 K, 2 BB

Analytics drives the decisions made by MLB managers, for better or for worse. The priority placed on batting order simply isn’t high anymore because numbers point to a very insignificant difference caused by hitters in different slots. Contact hitters are not valued nearly as highly as they used to be.

Schwarber’s brutal average is anything but traditional for a leadoff hitter. He also leads the Phillies in home runs and RBIs this season. However, Thomson continues to prioritize a supposed comfort level for a poor average hitter.

The second-year manager doesn’t appear to have any plans to yank Schwarber from the leadoff spot

You might not like analytics. You might not even understand analytics. The strategy isn’t going anywhere. Get used to seeing more bizarre stat lines like the one Kyle Schwarber finished with in Pittsburgh this weekend.

Watch The John Kincade Show live on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.

9 Bullpen Options For The Phillies At The Trade Deadline

  • Daniel Bard- RHP- Rockies

    Bard is one of the most interesting names at the deadline. He has one more year left on his deal after this, so he is not the most obvious trade candidate. But he is also 38 and is playing for the Rockies. They are guaranteed to be sellers at the deadline and may not want to hand onto an aging reliever due to make $9.5 million next season.  

    The aging righty has found new life these past two seasons. He joined the Rockies in 2020 after not pitching since 2013. His first couple of seasons were a little rocky. But in 2022 he put up a 1.79 ERA and this year it is 2.2 so far in a tough ballpark to pitch in.  

    He left the MLB for control issues about 10 seasons ago. And there has been some of that this year too. So, it is not without risk. But he has pitched very well the past two seasons. And when he controls his stuff, it can be pretty deadly. 

  • 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.  

    KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 01: Scott Barlow #58 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium on July 01, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.

    (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)

  • Jose Cisnero- RHP- Tigers

    Outside of one disastrous outing recently, Cisnero has given up just 8 earned runs all season. If it wasn’t for that 5 run outing vs the Blue Jays where he got no outs, his ERA would be sitting at 2.06. He made it through June without giving up a single run.  

    The Tigers are not winning anything this year. He is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. And is due just $1 million for the rest of the season. He is the perfect candidate to be traded. And kind of perfect for the Phillies’ needs. Cisnero is already in a non-closer role, so you know he will be comfortable in whatever role the Phillies have in store for him. And there is no long-term commitment or large monetary commitment.  

  • 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. 

    ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 29: Joe Kelly #17 of the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 29, 2023 in

    (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  • Brent Suter- LHP- Rockies

    We have talked about 4 righties, so what about a lefty option? Brent Suter would certainly be an interesting candidate. He has a 2.82 ERA at this point in the season. He is not a power pitcher like much of the Phillies pen. Instead, he relies on deception which could be an interesting change of pace from the flamethrowers elsewhere in the pen. 

    Lefties are not a particular need for the Phillies. Soto, Strahm, Alvarado, and Vasquez already pitch from that side. 

    The one holdup for Suter is his injury. He is currently on the IL with an oblique injury. So, the Phillies would need assurances he is ready to go before acquiring him. But if he is healthy, he makes for an interesting option. He is a free agent after this season, making him a prime candidate to be traded by the Rockies. 

  • David Robertson- RHP- Mets

    Third time is the charm? We have been down the David Robertson road before. The first time they signed him away from the Yankees, he barely played any games in the massive 3-year deal due to injuries. Last year they added him at the deadline, and it went better than the first time… I guess. He pitched well in the regular season but then hurt himself in the playoffs celebrating a Bryce Harper HR and missed the next series.  

    After that, he mostly pitched well, and he did get a save in the World Series. There are some wounds there with him and the Phillies, but Robertson is a professional pitcher. And past history shouldn’t prevent the Phillies from acquiring him again. 

    The Mets may be sellers at the deadline. But Robertson has pitched great for them this season. His ERA is 1.96. And he is on a 1-year deal, so if they do sell, he is a guy they should sell. Would they trade him to the Phillies? Maybe, maybe not. But it is at least worth asking.  

  • 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.  

    SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 08: Brad Hand #55 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the fifth inning at Oracle Park on July 08, 2023 in San Francisco, California.

    (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

  • Liam Hendricks- RHP- White Sox

    Given the buzz around his name, you can’t leave Hendricks off this list. But even if the White Sox do trade him, I don’t know if Hendricks makes sense for the Phillies. 1) He is injured. 2) He is very expensive. 

    Some team desperate for Bullpen help will surely be willing to give up what it costs to get him. His pedigree is hard to argue with. He has been a dominant closer for years now. But the Phillies don’t really need a closer. Kimbrel has that locked up, and even after that Soto, and Alvarado when healthy are great setup guys. 

    Once Hendricks is traded for, his $15 million option next season is guaranteed. So, beyond what you give up in a trade, you will also have to shell out some decent cash. As tempting as Hendricks is, it feels like there are better fits. But if Middleton is willing to pay, no one will be complaining if they add another arm of his caliber.  

    This part isn’t relevant to whether or not they should trade for him, but he is also one of the cooler stories in baseball this season.

  • Kendall Graveman- RHP- White Sox

    Graveman might be a more attainable White Sox pitcher. He has one more year left on his deal after this for $8 million. Being 32, it’s unlikely he is part of the White Sox rebuild plans. He also has about a strikeout per inning and a 3.07 ERA. Graveman has been a solid pitcher across 3 teams since 2021. He is a cheaper, and perhaps safer option than Hendricks, albeit with a lower ceiling.  

  • For a look at who they could target in left field

    6 Left-Field Options For The Phillies At The Trade Deadline

Andrew Salciunas, “The Choonis,” has done it all at the station - screening calls, working events as a member of the street team, producing 7 days a week, doing updates, and now hosting his own show. Now with a wife and kid, his life experiences are far different than when he first started, but this “regular guy” knows how to relate to anyone. He writes about the Flyers, Phillies, Sixers, and Eagles.

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