Kyle Schwarber 2024 Player Outlook: Category-Specific Slugger Embodies Three-True-Outcomes Mold
3 months agoMeet the poster boy of three-true-outcome hitters, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber. Since joining the team as a free agent in the 2022 offseason, Schwarber has struck out more times (415) than any other batter. What Schwarber lacks in batting average, however, he more than makes up for with elite power offerings and on-base skills. The slugging two-time All-Star may have missed out on his third career midsummer classic and hit under the Mendoza line in 2023, but he slashed a unique .197/.343/.474 with 47 home runs, 19 doubles, a career-high 104 RBI and 108 runs scored in 720 plate appearances over 160 games. After stealing a career-best 10 bases in 2022, the slow-running Schwarber proved that may have been an anomaly by coming up empty in that area a year ago. Though Schwarber projects as Philadelphia's everyday designated hitter and leadoff man in 2024, don't expect the 30-year-old to swipe more than a handful of bags. Schwarber's lack of consistent contact also lends itself to a regular dose of hot and cold streaks throughout the course of the campaign, making the former Silver Slugger a category-specific fantasy proposition. One thing is for certain, though, a healthy Schwarber is going to mash plenty of homers and score lots of runs atop a robust Phillies lineup. Just don't expect much in the way of BA and speed. Treat Schwarber as a top-50 guy in OBP and points leagues for his propensity to draw free passes (17.5% walk rate) as well as for punt-average builds in 5x5 mixed formats.