April 13, 2019: Schwarbs

The legend of Kyle Schwarber… Schwarbs maybe… or the mighty Schwarbino… that’s what I like to call him.  Man, you couldn’t have started a career off in a better way.  Came in like gangbusters during that 2015 season, including the postseason, where he was wrecking baseballs.  This guy is going to be awesome!  2016 rolled around, and the unfortunate collision with Dex in Arizona ended his regular season.  I remember being personally devastated that day… knowing how special that Cubs team could be… knowing that Kyle would miss it.  Well, I was half right.  This kid worked his ass off, and got back when it mattered most; the Cubs first World Series appearance since 1945.  Yeah, and you know what… that historic drought may still be going on if it wasn’t for Kyle.  I know Ben got the MVP, and I know you could probably say the same about a lot of guys, but Schwarber… he was critical.  We will all never forget that.

Since then, it’s been a struggle for Kyle.  He was told he’s not playing catcher any more, which sucks for him… and us.  Not complaining about Willson at all, or Caratini for that matter, but I thought Kyle would be a good catcher too.  He was told to lose weight; he came in looking like a new person.  He changed his batting stance trying to improve his average.  He was part of the leadoff experiment that Joe ran, which resulted in Kyle being sent down to the minors to get his shit together.  He was told he sucked as an outfielder, and he should be in the AL as a DH.  He’s not great in the outfield, but he’s more than serviceable.  I’ve seen worse.  He works hard at it; he’s improved.  He’s got a great arm.  I’m fine with him in LF from here on out.  That brings us to this year.

2019 started off well enough.  5 hits in his first 3 games was a good start.  He’s had 5 hits since then.  That went south in a hurry.  It all kind of came to a head when his check swing was called Strike 3 to end the game on Saturday vs the Angels, which ended our comeback attempt.  He lost his damn mind after that call.  I wasn’t watching live, but saw the replays.  I’d love to say it was an obvious mistake by the ump… I’ll just say it was close.  Kyle went nuts, going after the ump, dropping the F bomb.  Did he finally reach his breaking point?  Is this what it will take to get him back on the right trajectory?

If anybody on the Cubs is pressing, I feel like Kyle is.  I watch his at bats… he looks like he’s constantly grinding his gears up there.  The kid has IT… has he not proven that to us already?  I think Kyle needs to relax in a big way, go up there, and be himself.  What will that look like?  .250, 30, 90?  More strikeouts than walks?  Worse than that?  The more he struggles, the more he presses.  I know that’s only human to an extent; see Kris Bryant.  But I feel like the talent is definitely there; he’s a baseball player.  If he just lets it go a bit, and lets his natural ability take over.  I mean, he’s tried everything to get better… he’s put in the work, that’s not a question.  But we’re not seeing the results.  I think it’s only a matter of time.  I know this is his 5th season in a Cubs uniform, but in games played, he’s barely 2 years old at 351 regular season games.  I think if he could only relax…

Or, blow off some steam, like Saturday vs the Angels.  I’m sure he was more than pissed at the moment, but hopefully it felt good to let it out.  Go nuts Kyle!  Let loose buddy.  We’ll always love you.  Now get back out there and start mashing balls.  Go Cubs!