Kyle Schwarber remains one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball every time he steps to the plate. As of Thursday, the 32-year-old two-time All-Star trails only Shohei Ohtani in the National League home run race with 19 long balls and ranks among the league’s most powerful sluggers.
The left-handed Schwarber is crucial to the Phillies’ success. In their 37 wins, he’s mashed 15 homers and boasts an outstanding 1.044 OPS. In their losses, he’s still solid, with four home runs and a .831 OPS. However, Schwarber’s contributions are mostly limited to his power and patience—he’s not a defensive asset and doesn’t offer speed. A full third of his 57 hits are home runs, a rate comparable to Ohtani’s, although Ohtani adds more value on the bases and with his overall production.
Schwarber walks in 16.2% of his plate appearances and either walks or strikes out in over 40% of his trips to the plate—hallmarks of the “Three True Outcomes” hitter. He’s played 56 of 60 games this season as a designated hitter and is set to become a free agent after the season, potentially seeking a contract worth $100 million despite being largely one-dimensional.
Still, Schwarber’s elite bat speed, exit velocity, barrel rate, and expected stats—most ranking in the 90th percentile or better—make a strong case. His 2.3 WAR is tied for the team lead with Zack Wheeler, even topping stars like Bryce Harper and Trea Turner.
There are real risks, though. No DH besides Ohtani has landed a nine-figure deal. The Red Sox gave Masataka Yoshida $90 million before 2023, and injuries have limited his value. Yordan Álvarez of the Astros signed a $115 million extension, but he too has battled injuries recently.
For the Phillies, extending Schwarber may not be the top priority, especially with J.T. Realmuto and Ranger Suárez also approaching free agency. But even with his limited profile, Schwarber’s ability to consistently deliver elite power makes him a candidate to land one last major payday—even if it’s not from Philadelphia.
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