Kyle Schwarber Reflects On Career After Reaching 10 Years Of MLB Service

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber ranks 11th among active MLB players with 307 home runs and won the 2016 World Series with the Chicago Cubs, but he's still hoping to play many more seasons after recently reaching 10 years of MLB service time.
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park.
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Kyle Schwarber has checked a lot of boxes during his baseball career.

In 2013, he helped Indiana University reach the College World Series for the first time in program history. After being selected No. 4 overall in the 2014 MLB Draft, Schwarber and the Chicago Cubs broke a 108-year World Series drought. He later made two All-Star appearances, won a Silver Slugger award and led the league National League in home runs.

On Friday, Schwarber reached 10 years of major league service time, something fewer than 10% of players have done in MLB history, according to the MLB Players Association. He made his MLB debut in 2015 with the Cubs, where he spent six seasons before playing for the Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox and now the Philadelphia Phillies.

The milestone gave Schwarber an opportunity to reflect on his accomplished career.

"It's pretty crazy. It feels like yesterday that you get drafted and make your debut and go win a World Series and be in another one," Schwarber said, per MLBPA. "Met a lot of great people along the way. The Jon Lester's, the Anthony Rizzo's, the [John] Lackey's, the Jon Jay's, the Jason Heyward's made me the baseball player I am today."

Schwarber, 32, ranks 11th among active MLB players with 307 home runs. He trails Andrew McCutchen by 20 home runs and Carlos Santana by 25, with Giancarlo Stanton atop the list at 429. Earlier this season, Schwarber became one of 162 players in MLB history to hit 300 home runs. With 93 more, he'd join an exclusive list of just 58 players in MLB history to hit 400 home runs.

Schwarber is on pace to have one of the best seasons of his career. Through 77 games, he has 23 home runs and 54 RBI while slashing .246/.378/.530. He led MLB with 46 home runs in 2022, and he's currently on pace to break his single-season career-high of 47 home runs in 2023.

"Hopefully there's many more years to go," Schwarber said, per MLBPA. "But when you reach those 10 years and you hear that cool stat of how many players have reached 10 years in major league history, it's really cool to be part of that group."

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Jack Ankony
JACK ANKONY

Jack Ankony covers baseball for “Fastball on SI.” He has been with the Sports Illustrated network since 2022. He graduated from Indiana University's Media School with a degree in journalism in 2022. Follow Jack on Twitter @ankony_jack