SEATTLE — Kyle Schwarber became the first hitter to reach 40 home runs this season, achieving the milestone on Wednesday with a mighty swing that sent Bryan Woo’s middle-middle fastball into the stands at T-Mobile Park.
This is Schwarber’s second straight season hitting 40 or more homers, and the fourth in his five years with the Phillies. He was also the first to 30 home runs this season, launching his 30th into right-center at Citi Field in June.
Between then and now, Schwarber’s output dramatically cooled. He tallied just three homers in July after hitting 16 in June. He missed some time with a lower-back injury in early July, but felt comfortable enough to participate in the Home Run Derby during All-Star Week. Schwarber altered his daily routine, however, retreating to the batting cages pre-game rather than hitting on the field as a way to manage the swings he took.
His power has picked up this month, though; Schwarber is now up to six home runs in August, with perhaps the most memorable being Sunday’s dramatic walk-off against the Cardinals. His overall production remains relatively low, however, with a .198/.321/.442 slash line in August. Despite this, Schwarber remains four home runs ahead of the next closest home-run hitters — Yordan Alvarez and Matt Olson (36).
The Phillies have not necessarily felt his lessened impact given improved plate discipline and production up and down the lineup. Come October, however, the Phillies will need power paired with their newfound selectiveness at the plate. Multi-run homers from Bryce Harper and Schwarber against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday were a good start.
