50 Facts About Kyle Schwarber

Early Life and High School Achievements

Kyle Schwarber's journey to MLB stardom began in Middletown, Ohio. Let's dive into his early years and high school achievements.

1. Early Life: Kyle Schwarber attended Middletown High School in Middletown, Ohio. During his four years, he batted .408 with 18 home runs and 103 runs batted in (RBIs).

2. High School Achievements: Schwarber was also a standout football player at Middletown High, garnering Second Team All-Ohio Honors as a linebacker his senior year.

3. High School Choir: Kyle Schwarber was a member of his high school’s award-winning show choir called Purple Pizzazz as a senior. He participated in the choir instead of taking an extra foreign language credit.

4. Family Background: His father, Greg Schwarber, was the police chief in Middletown, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati with a population of 50,000.

5. Early Baseball Feats: Kyle Schwarber hit his first home run at the age of 10 in a tournament in Cooperstown. This was a grand slam, making it an impressive feat for a young player.

6. High School Home Run: During his sophomore year at Middletown High, Schwarber hit a line-drive missile that shattered a window of a Ford Aerostar. This incident is still remembered by those in attendance.

College Baseball and Draft

Schwarber's college years at Indiana University were pivotal. His performance there led to his selection in the MLB draft.

7. College Baseball: He played college baseball for the Indiana Hoosiers. His impressive performance led to him being a first-round selection in the 2014 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs.

8. College Home Run: In 2010, while at Indiana University, Schwarber hit a home run that cleared the batter’s eye in center field, a feat that only a few players had achieved before him.

9. Theo Epstein’s Observation: Cubs president Theo Epstein watched Schwarber play at Indiana University and was impressed by his potential. Epstein’s observation played a significant role in Schwarber’s draft selection.

10. Draft Position: Kyle Schwarber was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 1st round (4th) of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft from Indiana University Bloomington.

11. Draft Selection Process: The selection process for the 2014 MLB draft was intense, with Schwarber being one of the top prospects. He was drafted three spots ahead of Aaron Nola by the Phillies.

12. Top Pick Missed Opportunity: The top pick in the 2014 draft, San Diego high school pitcher Brady Aiken, never made it to the majors, making Schwarber’s selection even more significant.

Professional Debut and Career Highlights

Schwarber's professional career took off quickly, leading to several memorable moments and achievements.

13. Professional Debut: He made his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2015, just a year after being drafted.

14. World Series Champion: Schwarber was a member of the Cubs’ 2016 championship team, contributing to their historic World Series victory over the Cleveland Indians.

15. Multi-Team Experience: In addition to the Cubs, Schwarber has also played for the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox, joining the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022.

16. Current Team: As of 2024, Kyle Schwarber is an outfielder and designated hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies.

17. Home Run Leader: In 2022, he led the National League in home runs, earning him his first Silver Slugger Award.

18. Home Run Records: Schwarber holds the record for most National League Championship Series (NLCS) home runs with 11.

19. Unique Feat: He is the only player to hit a home run in the Little League World Series, World Series, and World Baseball Classic championship game.

20. Career Milestones: Schwarber hit his 200th career home run on April 4, 2023, against Domingo Germán of the New York Yankees.

21. Seasonal Achievements: In the 2022 season, Schwarber became the fifth player in Phillies history to hit 40 home runs in consecutive seasons, joining Chuck Klein, Mike Schmidt, Jim Thome, and Ryan Howard.

22. Record-Breaking Performance: In his first 80 games with the Phillies, Schwarber broke Raul Ibañez’s record for most home runs in that span. He hit 27 home runs, surpassing Ibañez’s previous record.

23. Comparison to Other Phillies Players: In their first 80 games as Phillies, Rhys Hoskins had 22 home runs, Bryce Harper had 13, and J.T. Realmuto had 10. Schwarber’s performance stood out significantly during this period.

Performance and Statistics

Schwarber's stats tell the story of a powerful hitter with a unique playing style.

24. Height and Weight: Kyle Schwarber stands at 6 feet (183 cm) tall and weighs 229 pounds (103 kg).

25. Batting Style: He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.

26. Career Statistics: As of 2024, Schwarber has played in 10 seasons, with a career batting average of .229 and 265 home runs.

27. Home Run Splits: Schwarber’s home run splits show that he has hit 20 home runs off right-handed pitchers (RHP) in 190 at-bats (1 every 9.5 ABs) and 7 home runs off left-handed pitchers (LHP) in 109 at-bats (1 every 15.6 ABs).

28. Performance Post-Bryce Harper Injury: After Bryce Harper’s injury, Schwarber hit 7 home runs in 10 games, contributing significantly to the Phillies’ success during that period.

29. Team Performance: The Phillies’ record when Schwarber homers is 14-8, while it is 30-31 when he doesn’t, including one DNP (Did Not Play).

30. Home and Away Performance: At home, Schwarber has hit 13 home runs in 160 at-bats (1 every 12.3 ABs), and on the road, he has hit 14 home runs in 139 at-bats (1 every 9.9 ABs).

31. Odds and Prop Bets: In 2022, Schwarber’s home run odds were +205 to homer on Thursday, which failed to cash after he went 0-for-3. His home run odds for Friday’s game in St. Louis were +285, still seeming low given his previous performance against Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright.

32. Historical Comparisons: Schwarber is on pace to break Mike Schmidt’s record for most home runs before the All-Star break, a mark that is 43 years old. Mike Schmidt finished with 45 home runs in 1979, while Ryan Howard led the majors with 58 home runs in 2006.

33. Current Home Run Leaderboard: As of 2022, Schwarber was just three home runs behind Aaron Judge for the major-league lead. He also had nine games to break Mike Schmidt’s record.

34. Performance in the Absence of Bryce Harper: After Bryce Harper’s injury, Schwarber hit .282 in the 10 games he played without Harper. Before Harper’s injury, Schwarber was hitting .215.

35. Career Statistics Update: As of 2024, Kyle Schwarber has 79 hits this season and has 842 hits over his career. He has also hit 19 home runs this season and has 265 home runs over his career.

36. Advanced Batting Statistics: Schwarber’s advanced batting statistics show a high walk rate and low batting average, which is characteristic of his playing style.

37. Postseason Batting Performance: In the postseason, Schwarber has performed well, contributing significantly to the Phillies’ success in the 2022 World Series.

Contracts and Salary

Schwarber's financial aspects reflect his value to the teams he has played for.

38. Current Contract: His current contract with the Phillies is for 4 years, worth $79 million (2022-2025).

39. Salary Information: Kyle Schwarber makes $20 million this year as part of his current contract with the Phillies.

40. Player Value: Schwarber’s player value is significant, with a career batting average of .229 and 265 home runs. He is considered one of the most powerful hitters in MLB.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

Beyond the field, Schwarber is known for his charitable efforts and community involvement.

41. Philanthropy: In 2017, Schwarber launched "Schwarber's Neighborhood Heroes" to honor and give back to first responders. He has also hosted annual fundraisers, including "Schwarber's Block Party," to raise funds for first responders.

42. Block Party Fundraiser: The fundraiser was initially held in Chicago but was brought back to Philadelphia in 2023 at Yards Brewing.

43. Charity Work: Schwarber’s charity work extends beyond first responders. He has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors, including supporting local communities and children’s charities.

Personal Life and Social Media

Schwarber's personal life and social media presence offer a glimpse into the man behind the player.

44. Social Media Presence: Schwarber is active on social media platforms, including Twitter (kschwarb12) and Instagram (kschwarb12).

45. Nicknames: He is known by various nicknames, including "Hulk," "Schwarbs," "Warbird," and "Schwarbie".

Miscellaneous Facts

Here are some additional interesting tidbits about Kyle Schwarber.

46. Fielding Position: Kyle Schwarber primarily plays as a left fielder but has also played as a designated hitter in various games.

47. Unique Feat: He is the only player to hit a home run in the Little League World Series, World Series, and World Baseball Classic championship game.

48. Career Milestones: Schwarber hit his 200th career home run on April 4, 2023, against Domingo Germán of the New York Yankees.

49. Seasonal Achievements: In the 2022 season, Schwarber became the fifth player in Phillies history to hit 40 home runs in consecutive seasons, joining Chuck Klein, Mike Schmidt, Jim Thome, and Ryan Howard.

50. Record-Breaking Performance: In his first 80 games with the Phillies, Schwarber broke Raul Ibañez’s record for most home runs in that span. He hit 27 home runs, surpassing Ibañez’s previous record.

Kyle Schwarber: A Powerhouse in Baseball

Kyle Schwarber's journey from Middletown High School to the MLB showcases his dedication and talent. With a .408 high school batting average and standout performances in college, he quickly made his mark. Drafted by the Cubs in 2014, Schwarber's career highlights include a World Series win in 2016 and leading the National League in home runs in 2022. His philanthropic efforts, like "Schwarber's Neighborhood Heroes," show his commitment off the field. Known for his powerful left-handed swing, he's hit 265 home runs over ten seasons. Now with the Phillies, Schwarber continues to impress, both as a player and a person. His story is one of hard work, resilience, and a love for baseball. Whether smashing home runs or giving back to the community, Schwarber remains a true powerhouse in the sport.