The Philadelphia Phillies will have to pay a large price to keep their prized slugger in free agency. Kyle Schwarber, the Philadelphia Phillies’ standout slugger, does not fit the pattern of a guy who would be expected to cash in as a free agency.
He adds no value defensively, spending the majority of his time as a designated hitter. He plays left field, although at a much lower level than usual. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that Schwarber is one of the least impactful base runners in the MLB. According to Baseball Savant, he has a baserunning run value of -2, placing him in the first percentile.
Some teams will be put off by his age as well.
He will be 33 years old on Opening Day, 2026. However, teams will be ready to overlook all of that because of his effectiveness at the plate. His batting run value of +15 is in the 98th percentile, and teams are ready to pay for a talent package that will age well.
He swings aggressively and makes hard contact, consistently causing damage at the plate.
Why Schwarber Will Be Paid.
MLB analyst Jeff Passan of ESPN agrees, projecting that Schwarber would sign a nine-figure contract as a free agency this winter.
“He is overly productive. He is an excellent clubhouse leader. Nobody would balk at offering him $25 million per year, with a four-year ask—
“It’s eminently reasonable, especially in a class with few high-end bats,” he wrote. Schwarber has a.242/.397/.558 slash line this season, including 11 home runs, which leads the National League. He has three doubles, one triple, and 26 RBI, which leads the club.
He is the epitome of a three-outcome hitter, having drawn 27 walks and 33 strikeouts. If he maintains this pace, he will have the lowest strikeout percentage of his career, 21.9%, which will help him negotiate his next contract.
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