MLB: 10 prospects ready to play in the big leagues
9. . Catcher. Chicago Cubs. Kyle Schwarber. 9. player
Most of the early season attention among top baseball prospects, and specifically among the Chicago Cubs’ star-studded farm system, has centered on slugging third baseman Kris Bryant. Most of the leftover column inches in April and early May went to new second baseman Addison Russell. However, there’s a new name receiving a great deal of attention among future Cubs.
A quick Google search reveals the excitement. As David Just of the Chicago Sun-Times points out, catching prospect Kyle Schwarber is “outpacing Kris Bryant’s early Double-A performance.” Additionally, Patrick Mooney of Comcast SportsNet says Schwarber is a legitimate option to serve as Chicago’s designated hitter in an upcoming interleague series with Detriot. Also, Fox Sports’ Rob Neyer asked the question “Is Schwarber the Cubs’ missing piece?”
Sometimes lost among Bryant, Russell, Jorge Soler, Javier Baez and the rest of baseball’s most talented crop of Minor Leaguers, Schwarber is baseball’s top offensive catching prospect – and his plus power makes the 22-year old a unique commodity in today’s game. His pro experience is obviously limited (he’s played only 118 games in the Minor Leagues through June 1), but Schwarber has already hit 30 home runs, including 12 through the first 46 games (191 plate appearances) in 2015.
Interestingly enough, Schwarber wasn’t even drafted out of his Ohio high school. However, he starred at Indiana for three seasons, and led the Big Ten in home runs twice. The powerful performance earned the 6-foot-, 235-pound left-handed hitter a spot high in the first round in 2014 and put him on the fast track to the Wrigley Field.
He’s athletic and has a strong arm, but it’s possible Schwarber won’t be able to stay behind the plate long. The 22-year old could develop into a corner outfielder and he actually played 36 games in left in 2014 compared to just 20 behind the plate. But this year’s he’s already seen action in 30 games as a catcher and hasn’t yet played outfield for Double-A Tennessee.
As Mooney pointed out, Schwarber might make his debut as a DH next week, but he may have to wait a bit for an everyday spot because Miguel Montero and David Ross are handling the catching duties for the Cubbies. Nevertheless, Kyle Schwarber is ready and his time should come soon.
Next: Corey Seager