Kyle Schwarber's 2022 Season Was Historically Weird

Hey everyone!
Throughout his career, Kyle Schwarber has been known as a power hitter. However, with the rise of OBP and power in recent years, teams have experimented with Schwarber as a leadoff hitter. Although, 2022 was his first season as the primary leadoff hitter for a team. This resulted in one of the weirdest seasons in recent history.
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[@theosofianos5617]

Phillies first innings are going to be terrifying when Harper is back. Turner-Schwarbs-Harper…Jesus

[@brandan7095]

And Rhys, who either hits 10 homers in a week or strikes out 20 times. No in-between he's either scary hot or artic cold

[@SportStorm23]

Realmuto too. The NL east is going to be crazy

[@brandan7095]

​@@SportStorm23 Turner Schwarber Harper Rhys Realmuto Casty Bohm. That's a scary lineup offensively

[@sincerelynotme3522]

And if Nick bounces back too, woof

[@sawmill035]

It is crazy to me that the Phillies are on paper, objectively the 3rd best team in the East. In literally any other division in baseball (outside of maybe the NL West), I think they'd be a shoo-in for the postseason. As it stands, I'm not sure if they even have a 50% shot -- and that's coming from a Philly fan. The Braves and Mets are that good. It really sucks, but hopefully we can put together another impossible run next season.

[@TylerSkoden]

Can't wait to watch the sequel of this video

[@telexanave2644]

Life long cubs fan. I was so happy when we didn’t retain Schwarber. Never understood why everyone loved him so much. He should’ve been traded the millisecond we won in 2016. Hes got no clutch gene, his defense is laughable (and stat nerds defending it is funnier), and he might be an all time leader in backwards Ks. The fact that we experimented with him at lead off for so long was also a bummer.

[@bmac4]

What amazes me is how effortless it looks. You watch a guy like Harper or Bellinger or Ohtani when they mash and you can see how much they wind up their swings. Schwarber just generates torque like it's nothing.

[@hoosierflatty6435]

Yup, definitely my favorite swing of the modern era.

[@Cornpop69]

Yeah it’s so effortless looking, incredible bat speed

[@someperson2287]

That's why his barrel rate is so insanely high

[@johnnywatts1421]

Time to do an update on this video. 2023 season. he batted 197 but had 47 home runs. Had more strikeouts, but he had a lot more walks resulting in a 20 point increase on on base percentage

[@CharmCityGamer]

By the time this comment is finished, Schwarb will launched another 10 dongs of the Bell. 😂 Thanks SportStorm!

[@robbiegarnz7732]

I think that they also put him at lead off because even when he strikes out he sees more pitches. With pitchers on such a short leash, a k is better than a two pitch pop out or ground out.

[@someperson2287]

Yeah that was one of the reasons Topper mentioned.

[@someperson2287]

And also one of the reasons I'm skeptical about having Turner lead off. I like him as a #2 behind a guy who sees a lot of pitches. Especially when the monster Harper is right next. Two guys with a high barrel rate ahead of one of the smartest hitters in baseball either way is a great thing.

[@hayfielddraw4364]

I'm a lifelong Cubs fanatic, and the releasing of Schwarber ranks among the biggest kick in the balls I've ever felt from the Cubs leadership. It's no secret the Cubs stars were floundering, playing very badly, and it was clear they needed a wake up call. Schwarber was the one summarily executed, and it was due to his lack of progress. But Schwarber had become a Cubs homegrown hero, and there was plenty of room on that roster to keep him as a .200 and 40 HR guy. Even with Rizzo, and Javy, and Bryant traded off, I'd still feel like I was watching the Cubs if Schwarber was the old hand on the team. With him gone, and no connection to the World Series remaining in the lineup, I don't feel like I'm watching the Cubs anymore; rather just another loveable losers lineup.

[@travismitchell9637]

Agree 100% of all the trades that one hurt the most.

[@kenw2225]

Parting with Rizzo was terrible. That was it for me. He was the glue

[@chicagodude8888]

Bryant was the biggest disappointment. 15-16 we have a superstar for 10 years, than the gradual decline to simply an above average hitter with durability issues was the ultimate nut kick, especially 2018. Cubs are going to have to spend if they want to be serious contenders as the farm system is much thinner than it was a decade ago.

[@bnes1093]

I am excited to see what this new era of Cubs is going to bring. Dansby, Seiya, Hoerner, and possible Belli bounceback (iffy but hopeful) can result in a really cool season. Biggest "what if " team in MLB this year

[@kevinbaker4836]

His last year with the Cubs he was insanely awful

[@accentball]

that NLCS home run off Yu Darvish i'll never forget. i've never seen a baseball hit that hard before. it was beautiful

[@_D_E_N_N_I_S_]

Harpers face should be an emoji

[@poonamt8459]

He hit so many lead off homers

[@stupididiot8717]

Yes

[@sendAJtospace]

He hit so many homers

[@MrJooishMagic]

He hit

[@jamesmcdude]

He

[@Baseballify]

H

[@glucosaminecondroitan9135]

Schwarber's swing is so great. Especially when his knee almost touches the dirt.

[@katrinamaniscalco6821]

I agree

[@benjaminwaterhouse9417]

I think an overlooked aspect of his game is pitches seen per plate appearance, it’s tops in the game, which is why he stayed leading off, forcing the pitcher to battle and give a lot of looks is a good strategy (also why rhys hoskins often hit second)

[@WhitneyNewark]

Rhys Hoskins is the worst player in baseball

[@benjaminwaterhouse9417]

@@WhitneyNewark that is not true by any metric

[@lochnessmonster5149]

Schwarber vs Darvish in the WBC. Schwarber had a 10 pitch at-bat that culminated in a HR.

[@bradydavis3121]

@@WhitneyNewark mad?

[@kirkstone5778]

So, in the rain out game they had against the nationals this year, I caught a first inning foul ball from schwarber. I was able to give it to a phillies young fan. One of my best baseball memories.

[@doublepoet7852]

Are you a nats fan?

[@kirkstone5778]

@Doublepoet no, I'm actually a cardinals fan. But last summer I spend the year out in Baltimore and caught alot of orioles and nationals games that I ended up buying jerseys and rooting for them.

[@HighlightReelSports]

Hey SportStorm! Would love to collab on some content with ya! Let me know if you would be interested 🙏🏼

[@matthewroberts6833]

Schwarber is like a one-dimensional Barry Sanders. . . his highlights are amazing but you never remember how many times the guy was stopped behind the line of scrimmage. Of course Sanders was largely limited to the lack of talent around him while when Schwarber strikes out over 200 times in the season. . . it's all him.

[@AlexTheMultiFanStudios]

As a Cubs fan, Just cause one bad season doesn't mean you let him go. Should've kept him. What happened? That. Also. HOW WAS HE NOT IN TOP 3 FOR MVP?

[@omangubalala3608]

He’s a dh and when he plays defense he’s not that good so not as valuable as some of the top guys in the NL

[@Alan-rw3ez]

You can’t have a batting average hovering .200 and be considered mvp

[@djbongwater]

they don't consider postseason in mvp voting + goldy and arenado exist

[@dantec03]

As a Philly fan thanks for making this video. Last season was the first season I actually followed closely in the last few years since they’ve been awful. It dumbfounded me all season why the guy with more HRs than anyone besides Judge didn’t have anyone on base when he was at the plate.

[@DTMJR1987]

Goddamn Schwarbs was a joy to watch last season, especially in the playoffs. Love having him in Philly - CEO of the clubhouse.

[@theapologist6717]

7:47 Fun Fact, for about 1/2 of the season, Schwarber had more HR's then 1B's!!!

[@operationthrash9645]

If you’re watching in 2023, Schwarber hit just as many home runs this year, this time not even breaking the Mendoza line of .200 BA

[@Turk3YbAstEr]

well, he did it again, and even weirder this time

[@benballier9580]

The guy is far and away the biggest leader in the clubhouse, and that’s saying a lot because the Phillies have a good clubhouse presence.

[@Gemnist98]

I really don’t think he’s the biggest. It’s really Harper, then Hoskins, then Realmuto, and THEN him.

[@Mcburger644]

Impossible to hate Scwarbombs

[@sphealteam6]

now holds the record for most leadoff homeruns in a season with 14 (and hopefully still counting)

[@MrUnforgivablehope]

Just because you mentioned him, It is ridiculous that Soriano was off the HOF ballot after just one year.

[@nox1ck589]

God I love shwarby and I really miss him as a cub but I will always be thankful for what he did in a cubs Jersey

[@djbongwater]

guy terrified me (cards fan)

[@SportStorm23]

Those were some fun teams to watch in the playoffs

[@brandan7095]

It's lookin like junefest is coming early boys.

[@andrewmcquade9413]

Update, Schwarber is having and even weirder season. Still batting lead off, apparently that’s where he feels comfortable.

[@pittsburghbob69]

I love people who draft Schwarber in a fantasy league and then drop him after one or two cold weeks. Like wtf? Didn’t you know what u were getting when u drafted him? You are gonna get horrible weeks from him but you’re also gonna get weeks where he is the hottest hitter in baseball and wins the week for you(in H2H).

[@davidswift7776]

Lousy lead off batter especially against lefties, almost an automatic out. Wonder why you didn’t mention that? Unless I missed it… nevertheless very good overview.

[@MrCjjuengst]

12:38 Watching in 2023 and Schwarber is having a very similar season. He is in the hunt for 3 true outcomes triple crown this year.

[@WiffGiff]

But OBP amongst leadoff hitters is lower than past decades, so if teams value that stat, it doesn’t show in the numbers. It seems they value Hrs above all else

[@joshuapatrick682]

He is exactly league average through 50 games this season. His OPS+ is 100…

[@brendonbuffaloe8830]

Gallo being an “above average outfield defender” might be the understatement of the year

[@joshuapatrick682]

the Phillies are making it hard for me not to like them....i don't wanna like the Phillies bro..

[@johnmp3828]

Could’ve been a met but they thought between dom smith, jd Davis and the corpse of cano they had dh covered

[@frighty]

He also tries to bunt with 2 strikes and 2 outs with his team down late in a World Series elimination game...

[@PaladinLarec]

Schwarber reminds me of Rob Deer back in the 80s. Deer had hideous batting average, sometimes below the mendoza line, but boy could he knock balls out of the park. There was a joke back then amongst baseball fans that 2 things will happen when Rob Deer is up to bat: He'd strike out or hit a homerun.

[@glucosaminecondroitan9135]

I still have some of Rob Deer's baseball cards. I love seeing those stats. I even bought a starting lineup of his a couple years ago.

[@unkledoda420]

And "out of the park" is truly the right phrase for him, i remember seeing Deer (and Cecil Fielder) hit homers onto/over the roof of Detroit's stadium (I can't remember what it's name was back then) on multiple occasions. I've always had a thing for big power, low average guys like Deer, Adam Dunn, Schwaber, Chris Davis (and Khris Davis), Mark Reynolds, Joey Gallo, ect.

[@glucosaminecondroitan9135]

@@unkledoda420 me too! I have been buying cheap cards off eBay of most those guys.

[@nomorefielders]

Schwarber’s career has had so many odd journeys in of itself I wouldn’t be surprised if he suddenly stole 30 bases next year

[@SportStorm23]

10 of his 22 career stolen bases were last season 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@CanyonWrens]

Great video. Any insight on why he bunted with 2 strikes down by 3 in the 8th? Talk about a punctuation mark to a weird season.

[@mpaulm]

Hot take, this guy is overrated. His career WAR is only 11.

[@jamesshuster4806]

Phil's will finish 2023 under .500. Go Losers!

[@jethrojacinto2798]

I’m so sad my Sox didn’t re-sign him. He’ll always be Kyle from Waltham to me 😢

[@calqlated4506]

he will always be the cubs left fielder for me

[@lochnessmonster5149]

Just put Schwarber in the lineup and let him hit nukes.

[@justinlatini4725]

Schwarber was born in the wrong era. He’s honestly just not a very good modern day MLB player, especially with advanced statistics and a greater emphasis on defense. He’s fine, but not worth the contract he signed, and his short comings will get overlooked because Philly made the WS.

[@Demoralized88]

He'd be cut if they didn't inexplicably give him a 4yr at almost $20m/yr.

[@jamesx4952]

He just hit 3 home runs tonight

[@ilphi08]

As a Phillies fan, I'm all for Schwarber hitting leadoff over Trea Turner Getting that 1:0 over your opponents works well for the team psychologically And the reason Kyle Schwarber hits so well as leadoff may because it was less pressured to hit when the bases were empty You see heavy hitters trying too hard to clear the bases, then ends up chasing a bad pitch

[@Gemnist98]

I remember playing Backyard Baseball as a kid and ONLY putting power hitters like Pablo Sanchez, Mikey Thomas, and Keisha Phillips in the front of the lineup (also Pete Wheeler, but he could hit for power too) - and of course, Pablo was my lead-off hitter. I kind of want to go back and create a more-optimal lineup now.

[@BrySA20000]

I only recently played Backyard games (not from NA) and always put Pete on leadoff, dude shockingly has some power. Pablo and Keisha is my two and three hole, Achmed on cleanup. Fun squad

[@raymonholt69]

In high school, our batting lineup was odd but effective. Our typical lead-off man would bat 8th or 9th, which became extremely difficult on the pitcher in later innings. Some modern lineups seem to have mirrored what our coach did in the 90s by putting more contact hitter and speed at the end so the power hitters could put quick runs on the scoreboard early while at the same time having a higher potential of base runners for them to send in later.

[@Gemnist98]

I was super scared of this guy as an Astros fan. Love to see a late-career resurgence though. All the best to Schwarber in his remaining Phillies days (and pray he gets moved out of left field in 2024).

[@unkledoda420]

He's only 29 years ild and been in the league 8 years, i wouldn't really say he's in his late career yet and the past 2 seasons have been 2 of the best of his career so why dies he need to have a "resurgence"?

[@StephenH1]

@@unkledoda420 I really got a good laugh at of this haha. Schwarber is in his prime right now. That four year contract is absolutely perfect

[@gabe9346]

With the elimination of the shift and the 2 pick off limit coming next year, speed and hitting contact IS going to benefit. But we'll see how just as much though.

[@rogueldr642smiythe9]

BUNT WITH 2 STRIKES

[@SmoothCriminal12]

As a Red Sox fan, I'm still very bitter we didn't keep him. We could've easily had him at first in 22, then transition him to DH this year.

[@brandan7095]

Now I wanna go play The show 08 and put Howard as my lead off guy.

[@tomdower6668]

He would be an incredible 4th or 5th hole guy. But the Philly lineup in stone should be Trea leads off and you always put your best hitter in the 2 hole with Harper. He’s far too valuable to have in the 4th hole.

[@benballier9580]

Yeah I’m with you. Lots of people want Schwarber leadoff but makes no sense with the 5-tool archetype of Turner, and Harper’s OBP numbers. Let Turner, Harper, and Realmuto get on base so Schwarber can mash them home.

[@joshuapatrick682]

I've never seen a more violent yet controlled swing than Kyle has....it's crazy to see.

[@NoNameNo.5]

Wel love em here in Philly! Schwarb fits this city like a dirty shirt

[@johnnolan33177]

He would have had like 30 or 40 more RBIs had trea turner led off and Jean Segura batted 9th schwarber at 2nd. Ops and all that is great, ops+. GIVE ME RUNS AND RBIS ANYDAY

[@mike-0451]

Man why do y’all baseball KZbinrs keep making videos about all the teams the lost? I’ve seen one Astros video since they won the World Series.

[@shoukatsukai]

I knew it, he was gonna make another Phillies video 💀💀💀

[@brianc4695]

Because there's nothing particularly interesting or strange about the Astros. They were a damn good baseball team but there really aren't any good stories surrounding them.

[@mike-0451]

@@brianc4695 I would say exactly the same thing about all the losers. Look harder.

[@shoukatsukai]

@@brianc4695 Dude, the Astros postseason bullpen put a historically dominant postseason. 0.83 ERA is the lowest in history given that amount of workload. And NO ONE has talked about it.

[@sportspokerguy3506]

A AA and AAA baseball do not shift very often they don’t have the same scouting/resources the major league clubs have - I would guess this will increase BABIP in the MLB by the same proportion that the shift is used. If the shift is used 10x as often in MLB as A-Ball, then the impact should be 10x

[@johnnolan33177]

He ain't goin nowhere. He'll be here with trea and Harper after the next 3 seasons are up. Still smashing. You see THE SPEED of that bat? That ain't dropping to average level anytime soon

[@thomaspaul8114]

Hey I love these videos, but not a stats guy, I think people would appreciate you saying the king version of those off-mainstream stats. Great video. Keep it up 🎉

[@frankrizzo9521]

I think when the Phillies are at full health he would slide to clean up. Now with Hoskins getting injured and Hall taking over 1st I think now Schwarber would bat 2nd

[@lildelphia9773]

Schwarber’s OBP would be 50 points higher if he didn’t get hosed on every 3-2 pitch

[@giacomocolella6151]

Can you please do a video on why Gerrit Cole didn’t win the 2019 cy young. Cole was better than Verlander!

[@angad1290]

Sportstorm can you talk about Ty Cobb as he is one of the most misunderstood player of all time and one the least talked about. He is kinda like barry bonds in the way he was stigmatised as although he is labelled as a racist he was in fact a major supporter of intergration of the major leagues, attending many negro ledge games and publicly speaking out against it

[@hockeydawg5868]

As a Nationals fan…to the Phillies fans watching…you’re welcome.

[@pinkeye00]

Ya, but he had 10 stolen bases ... with 1 CS. ;) lol 89% efficiency

[@darienbrown1852]

This year strange too 47 HRs and BA under 200 that's crazy

[@schlootle]

Schwarber is an excellent power hitter, but I still think it is a mistake to have him bar lead off. At least out 1 person on base ahead of him

[@Chris-xt8io]

The Phillies tried to take Schwarber out of lead off and put him elsewhere and he hit poorly

[@MikeysPsyche]

Schwarber is going to be so good this year with Trea Turner in front of him!

[@johnnolan33177]

That will change with no shift, and he's dropping to 2 spot with trea turner leading off

[@pedropurcell3556]

great vid, you need to do a new video of the 2023 season... I think it has been weirder than ever.

[@codyfarmer1]

Time for old dirty shwarbs to hit 4th or 5th depending on lefties in lineup.

[@_D_E_N_N_I_S_]

Single handily carried the Phillies when Bryce went down

[@deepzone31]

Schwarbs 2022 was a base stealing phenom.

[@maxminkos3181]

kyle Schwarber only strikes out or hits a home run

[@lolahand8626]

that was the most homosapian beat drop/transfer ever

[@comerfordanthony]

he was brought up as a catcher then put in the outfield

[@Chris-xt8io]

If there’s an inside fastball that shit is gone

[@braheme1260]

Dante Bichette had a season that reminds me of this.

[@dominic64tblightning24]

He's good

[@Jop278]

Ronald Acuna Jr. hit 42 Homers in the leadoff spot in 2019. Check your facts bud.

[@neymarKing-o3n]

He hit 41 home runs that season

[@dogo7559]

first

[@CharmCityGamer]

You forgot Brady Anderson in 1996 as a leadoff man, he launched 50. Not sure about his OPS though!

[@DerrickMims]

Baseball reference has him at 1.034 in 1996. He never broke .900 in any other season.

[@CharmCityGamer]

@@DerrickMims Ah so he was an anomaly to the rule.

[@unkledoda420]

As an O's fan i immediately thought the same thing so i looked it up, Brady only hit 35 HR that year from the leadoff spot and 15 from the #2 spot. The criteria in the video was at least 38 HR as a leadoff hitter so Brady just missed qualifying.

[@CharmCityGamer]

@@unkledoda420 Huh. I coulda swore he hit all 50 out of the leadoff spot, go figure.

[@sheawhitey5009]

He also got caught using steroids soul than 50 home run season is kind of tarnished.(like a lot of others did too)

[@booradley6832]

Brady Anderson was a 50hr/50sb leadoff hitter for the Orioles in 1996, unless there's something i'm missing from your statistics or his?

[@SophiaElibaby]

Brady was a roider he did it once and never again

[@grahamstrouse1165]

2023 has been even weirder….

[@_D_E_N_N_I_S_]

Now do one about this year

[@shpfro]

We don't care about RBI, average, or doubles. We know everytime he leads off We have the chance of a 1-0 lead right if the bat, pun intended! Can't wait for the season to start for more SchwarBOMBS!! LETS GO PHILLIES

[@iAmerican_Idiot]

I love me some SCHWARBOMBs

[@kiefdemon1979]

Tbh I assumed KS would be the DH in Philly. Probably would be put on DH in 2024 when Harper is fully fully healthy.

[@mitch7099]

Great video. Surprised Orioles legend Brady Anderson's 1996 season at the leadoff spot was not mentioned!! So what if he had some help??? Lol

[@thelastowlbear8110]

It's funny, I spent all last year saying that a Schwarber at bat resulted in only 3 endings: a strikeout, a homerun or hitting directly into the shift. His OPS might increase quite a bit in 2023 with the new rules. I mean, or not, baseball is a fickle mistress.

[@neilfosteronly]

I like this talk about lead off hitter. It seems like guy with most OBS should always be lead off. I have thought about making program that can simulate best lead off hitter. But it would take out all speed and be a fairly basic sim. There has to be some system already made to choose best order of batter order. Maybe you should just order lineup as best OBS 1-9 vs the starting pitcher throwing's arm. I would like to see data that shows why we use as best hitters 3 and 4 as best with speed lead off. This is less common now, but has been historically.

[@ok-eu5nq]

I think he should hit 3rd, since that gives more of a chance for runners on base but also gives him more 2-out-nobody-on at bats where singles or doubles are not very valuable. seems good to me in theory but I won't have a job with an MLB team anytime soon so maybe I'm looking at it the wrong way

[@iyelawolf2196]

Phillies are fucking scary. Their lineup is absolutely insane. The defense makes me worry, and their pitching needs work (despite what some fans say) but man, that offense is nuts

[@SheLuvMaddox]

you should do fernando rodney’s 2012 season its oddly similar to Zack Brittons 2016 season

[@sammascioli]

You should make a player breakdown video of Juan Pierre. Super unique career, not talked about enough. Love your channel, awesome videos!

[@trutty]

First video of yours that I've watched, definitely going to sub. Entertaining and informative, can't ask for much more than that. Is it baseball season yet?