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MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players 25 and under

By Jason Evans

Sep 19, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) gets ready to return to the field to play the Minnesota Twins in game one of a doubleheader at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) gets ready to return to the field to play the Minnesota Twins in game one of a doubleheader at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber hits a solo home run against the New York Mets in the 8th inning in game one of the NLCS at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber hits a solo home run against the New York Mets in the 8th inning in game one of the NLCS at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

9. . C/OF. Chicago Cubs. Kyle Schwarber. 23. player

If the Mets have the scariest group of young pitchers in the game, then the Cubs have to have the scariest group of young bats in the game. One of them is sometimes catcher, sometimes left fielder Kyle Schwarber.

Schwarber was the Cubs first-round pick just two years ago and only spent a year in the minors before coming up to the big leagues. The Cubs needed to find a spot for his bat, so they had him play some left field along with catching. He’s not exactly the best defender in the outfield but that’s not what the Cubs want from him anyway.

Schwarber hit 16 homers in just 69 games last year and added five more in the postseason for the Cubs on their way to the NLCS. He had an OPS of .842 and an OPS+ of 128.

Schwarber gives the Cubs another left-handed power presence behind Anthony Rizzo and Jason Heyward. He gives the Cubs some flexibility in that they don’t have to have Miguel Montero catch everyday and they don’t have to have guys like Jorge Soler play everyday either.

The Cubs have an extremely deep and versatile collection of hitters and Schwarber is just another example of that.

Next: 22. Michael Conforto

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