Only Aaron Judge Is Predicted to Hit More Home Runs Than This Phillies Slugger
The Philadelphia Phillies hit the eighth most home runs as a team in 2023 with 220. Of the 220 home runs hit by the Phillies, Kyle Schwarber blasted 47 of them.
He hit the second-most home runs in baseball, launching seven less than Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson.
Schwarber, who has struggled to hit for average and is one of the worst defensive players in baseball, certainly has his flaws. The struggles in other areas are noticeable in certain metrics. Schwarber posted a 0.7 WAR, .817 OPS, and a batting average of .197.
However, Philadelphia's leadoff hitter is a valuable part of the team and someone that needs to produce if they want to win a World Series.
Over the past two seasons, he's hit 93 home runs. His 126 walks in 2023, the most of his career, were also a help for the slugger.
Brent Maguire of MLB.com predicted every team's home run leader for the season, predicting Schwarber to hit the most for the Phillies with 42.
According to Maguire, those 42 home runs would be the second most in baseball and the most in the National League. Only New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is predicted to hit more with 46.
Maguire adds that fans should keep an eye on Alec Bohm, who hit 20 home runs in 2023.
Schwarber and the rest of the Philadelphia lineup can swing it with the best of them in Major League Baseball.
For them to be the team they're expected to be, that'll need to continue.
