Kyle Schwarber has once again proven why he remains one of the most feared power hitters in Major League Baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies slugger currently leads all of MLB with 30 home runs, continuing another dominant offensive campaign.
While Schwarber’s power numbers have been spectacular, there is a notable downside. The Phillies designated hitter also leads the majors with 122 strikeouts and is on track to challenge the single-season strikeout record of 223, set by Mark Reynolds in 2009. Even with those swing-and-miss concerns, the three-time All-Star has played well enough to emerge as a legitimate contender for a top-three finish in the National League MVP race.
Kyle Schwarber continues building a strong NL MVP résumé, but the award may remain out of reach
Despite posting a career-high 34.0 percent strikeout rate, Schwarber has offset that weakness by producing a career-best 28.3 percent line-drive rate, helping him raise his batting average to .253. His overall production has been outstanding, although it still may not be enough to secure the National League MVP Award. A top-three finish, however, appears increasingly realistic.
That outlook was reflected in MLB.com’s latest MVP poll, where Schwarber placed third in the National League race. He finished behind Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, who topped the voting with 161 points and 30 first-place votes, while Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong ranked second with 85 points and two first-place votes.
“Schwarbs just continues to crush baseballs,” wrote Jason Foster of MLB.com. “He launched his MLB-leading 30th homer on Sunday, while no other big league hitter had more than 25. His .591 slugging percentage is best in the NL, while his .962 OPS ranks second. He had 178 total bases on the season entering Monday, also best in the Senior Circuit. Schwarber finished second in NL MVP voting last season. A similarly strong showing appears to be on tap this season.”
No matter how impressive Schwarber’s second half becomes—even if he reaches the 60-home-run milestone—it may still not be enough to surpass Ohtani in the MVP race. Ohtani’s continued impact both at the plate and on the mound gives him a unique advantage that few players, including Schwarber, can realistically overcome.