Fourth overall MLB pick Kyle Schwarber promoted by Chicago Cubs

For the second time since being selected with the fourth overall pick in the June Major League Baseball draft, Kyle Schwarber is being promoted.

Schwarber played just five games with the short-season affiliate of the Cubs, the Boise Hawks, tallying 12 hits – four of which left the yard. His gaudy batting line of .600/.625/1.325 was enough to get him promoted to Class-A Kane County, where he hit .361/.448/.602 with eight home runs and 15 RBIs in 23 games with the Cougars.

Prior to the draft, the University of Indiana catcher/outfielder was often said to be one of the best offensive prospects available, but few expected him to show the level of dominance he has put on display thus far in his professional career.

The Chicago front office has stated that it will not impede Schwarber’s ascent to the big leagues by sticking him behind the plate if his bat warrants it, and for much of the past month, he has alternated between catching and playing the outfield – the latter of which could only expedite his arrival at Wrigley Field.

With an offense that fails to score consistently and a major lack of star power on the North Side of Chicago, a late 2015 arrival of Schwarber, along with some of the organization’s other top prospects could be enough to breathe life back into a franchise that hasn’t won a title since 1908.