Comments on: Moving Kyle Schwarber’s Defense from Controversy to Conversation

By: Rian Watt

Rian Watt — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 05:25:57 +0000

Asked Theo about this at the end-of-season presser. IF Baez is still on the team in 2016, and IF the Cubs haven’t signed another big-name outfielder (Like Heyward. Well, honestly, really just Heyward. Maybe Alex Gordon.), then I think you’ll see both Baez and Bryant get time in center field next year. The FO puts a huge premium on defensive flexibility.

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 05:24:22 +0000

I’m curious what you think about either Bryant or Baez in center – assuming the Cubs don’t resign Fowler nor bring in someone else. Is that too much inexperience having a Schwarber/Bryant/Soler outfield? I think the Cubs want to keep Castro and get Baez into the starting lineup.

By: Rian Watt

Rian Watt — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 23:07:49 +0000

Thanks, Will! I generally agree.

By: Will Dombai

Will Dombai — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 21:02:12 +0000

Thanks, Rian, for saying what needed to be said. I’ve been waiting for someone to support Schwarb’s surprisingly satisfactory defense this year. Maybe even a defensive prowess that exceeded expectations considering LF was a new position for him, and dude was drafted one(!) year ago. It’s unfortunate that national media and peripheral fans will remember his D primarily in the small sample of these high-pressure postseason games, particularly when the same plays under scrutiny also showcase the intensity, passion, and all-outness with which he plays on a consistent basis. Cubs were behind in the series, and trailing on the scoreboard every single game in the NLCS. Schwarbs went all out, tried to be a hero… and fell flat on his face. I can’t be upset with a dude who plays with that kind of heart. Especially when the data shows he was pretty alright in the field, overall.

By: Rian Watt

Rian Watt — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 14:23:52 +0000

I agree – I was satisfied too. As for Schwarber at third, though, I just don’t see it. His first step isn’t there, nor is his range or lateral ability while staying low. I do like the creativity though!

By: Rian Watt

Rian Watt — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 14:23:04 +0000

Corrected – thanks for the note!

By: Rian Watt

Rian Watt — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 14:22:00 +0000

I agree he’s “serviceable”. Soriano was, though, probably a little bit stronger in left field. I haven’t had time to dig too deep into the comparison (though maybe I will, now!) but, at least by UZR/150, there was only one season (2009) where his performance was below Schwarber’s level in 2015. In all others, he was an above-average defender. Schwarber isn’t that, yet.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 13:47:32 +0000

I will preface this with “I love KB’s defensive ability at 3B”. Why not try Schwarber at 3B and move KB to left? It can’t be a size factor. If that is the argument then it would make even more sense to put Schwarber at 3B over left. If Aramis Ramirez can play 3B then why not Schwarber? On a side note, prior to NLCS, I was not only surprised at Schwarber’s play in left; I was extremely satisfied with it.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 13:39:19 +0000

Great article Rian! One small thing regarding Mauricio’s quote, Kyle was an All-State outside linebacker (not DE) in high school, but he did not play college football. Having said that, he was using that to prove a point that he’s pretty athletic and not slow, and the fact he played OLB, not DE, is even more evident of that fact.

By: drew

drew — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 11:29:09 +0000

I can’t tell you how many cub fans I’ve argued with over the last week about this…but I prefer “serviceable” to “pretty good.” Unlike many responsible adults with jobs and lives, I’ve probably invested too much time watching the cubs this summer. From this small sample size, I can safely say that I’ve definitely seen worse outfielders than schwarber. I recently was shot down on the notion that he’s no worse than soriano–but I stand by that. Do you have any evidence/metrics to shed some light on this comparison? I kinda feel schwarber’s appearance fits the stereotype of an unathletic baseball player. The matt stairs comparison begins and ends with their body type.