“He was aware that he lost a step or two last year, just with the little aches and stuff that he had, and he went to work,” Figueroa said. “He’s worked hard on his mobility. You can see a big difference on the bases now. He should have had another stolen base, that one where he got caught stealing. The catcher made a perfect throw and a perfect tag. That’s going to happen.
“But he’s running the bases well. Going first to third, scoring from first to home a couple times. It’s been noticeable.”
Schwarber shags balls with his teammates in the outfield most days. He works on his jumps, and his first-step angles. He is the Phillies’ DH, but Figueroa said he doesn’t look at himself that way.
“I mean, if you talk to Schwarber, he’s not a DH, in his mind, and he shouldn’t be,” Figueroa said. “He’s been a position player his whole life. And he still is. So, it’s just where our team is now — he’s our DH. But he’s still an outfielder, and he’s going to continue to work in the outfield.”
Part of the reason Schwarber has made a point to stay as fresh in the outfield as possible is that he knows his teammates need a day off their feet. He wants to share the DH spot much as he can.
“We were all joking the other day, it was the first time I played left field and it took a month, right?” Schwarber said. “I’ve always told them this, I’m still vocal about it: I want to give guys days off their feet. I don’t want them to feel like that they just have to play their position to be in the lineup. I feel like that can be a really beneficial thing. Having the first day out there in left field felt really comfortable.
“I know Nick [Castellanos] has played every inning on defense. And there’s some other guys. … [Bryce] Harper has been out there a lot at first base. So, hopefully you can get them a break off their feet, too.”
Schwarber will never be as quick as Trea Turner, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make an impact on the bases. His teammates like to tease him, but they respect his hustle.
Marsh, for one, thinks Schwarber this season can post a career-high in stolen bases, which, for the record, stands at 10 in 2022. His prediction?
“Thirteen,” Marsh said.
Kyle Schwarber is known for his power, not his speed, but he has been moving around better this season. This isn’t by accident. The Phillies’ designated hitter went into the offseason wanting to be intentional with his mobility work. His workouts were more tailored to it than in years past.
The numbers back it up. While there is no difference in Schwarber’s sprint speed — 25 feet per second, which is the same mark he posted in 2023 — there are indicators that he is more explosive, is taking more risks, and is being rewarded for them. Schwarber has stolen two bases this season (with one caught stealing), and has taken extra bases at a rate of 53%, compared to 30% in 2023.
Baseball Savant puts his baserunning run value — which measures risk-taking on the base paths — at 0, which ranks in the 68th percentile in MLB. His baserunning run value in 2023 was in the 10th percentile of all runners, at -2.
The eye test backs it up, too.
“He’s gone first to third a bunch this year, and he’s doing it with ease,” said outfielder Brandon Marsh. “Usually, last year, or the years prior, he’d have to snake in there, slide in hard and late. To me, he looks faster.
“We like to poke at him a little bit, because he’s the DH. But I really think he’s moving well. He’s getting after it. He looks great — I’ve seen an eight-pack on his stomach. You don’t see many grizzly bears with an eight-pack. So, he’s doing good. We’ve got to keep going.”
Catcher Garrett Stubbs said he’s noticed that Schwarber, who is listed at 6-foot, 229 pounds, has dropped a few pounds and is moving better. But that doesn’t stop the Phillies from playfully teasing him.
Kyle Schwarber is known for his power, not his speed, but he has been moving around better this season. This isn’t by accident. The Phillies’ designated hitter went into the offseason wanting to be intentional with his mobility work. His workouts were more tailored to it than in years past.
The numbers back it up. While there is no difference in Schwarber’s sprint speed — 25 feet per second, which is the same mark he posted in 2023 — there are indicators that he is more explosive, is taking more risks, and is being rewarded for them. Schwarber has stolen two bases this season (with one caught stealing), and has taken extra bases at a rate of 53%, compared to 30% in 2023.
Baseball Savant puts his baserunning run value — which measures risk-taking on the base paths — at 0, which ranks in the 68th percentile in MLB. His baserunning run value in 2023 was in the 10th percentile of all runners, at -2.
The eye test backs it up, too.
“He’s gone first to third a bunch this year, and he’s doing it with ease,” said outfielder Brandon Marsh. “Usually, last year, or the years prior, he’d have to snake in there, slide in hard and late. To me, he looks faster.
“We like to poke at him a little bit, because he’s the DH. But I really think he’s moving well. He’s getting after it. He looks great — I’ve seen an eight-pack on his stomach. You don’t see many grizzly bears with an eight-pack. So, he’s doing good. We’ve got to keep going.”
Catcher Garrett Stubbs said he’s noticed that Schwarber, who is listed at 6-foot, 229 pounds, has dropped a few pounds and is moving better. But that doesn’t stop the Phillies from playfully teasing him.
Kyle Schwarber wants to share the DH spot as much as he can with his teammates, but he has just one start in left field this season.
Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Tags:
{tag}
{tag}
{tag}
{tag}
Share this article
Link copied!
Related Articles
Get Geared Up
Heading 4
Heading 4
Heading 4
Heading 4