Larry Henry JrThe Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly found another home-run hitter to pair with Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto for the 2022 MLB season.
Kyle Schwarber is set to become the latest Phillies free agent acquisition, ESPN reported Wednesday. The former World Series champion with the Chicago Cubs, will join Jeurys Familia and Brad Hand as the newest member in Joe Girardi’s squad.
Schwarber, 29, totaled 25 homeruns in 72 games for the Washington Nationals last season before being traded to the Boston Red Sox. The former first round draft pick played a key role for the Red Sox during the second half of the season, registering a .291 batting average and a .957 OPS in 41 games in the A.L. East. Boston reached the MLB Playoffs, with Schwarber helping along the way.
The Ohio native has totaled 30 home runs or more in three different MLB seasons, with his best campaign coming with the Cubs in 2019. Schwarber finished the 2019 season with a career-best 38 homers and 92 rbi’s, but watched his production plummet in 2020, finishing with only a .188 batting percentage and 24 rbi’s.
Schwarber can play as a corner outfielder or at first base for the Phillies this season. He has also been used as a designated hitter in the A.L., something Girardi could use for interleague series in 2022.
The Phillies missed out of the playoffs in 2021, but with Harper, Realmuto, and Schwarber teaming up in the lineup, things could look very different in the N.L. East this season.
Girardi’s bunch kicks off its spring training schedule on Friday.
You can follow Larry Henry on Twitter (@lhenry019) and e-mail him at [email protected].
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