Kyle SKOwarber Hulking Thread of Sploogepower

[PenFoe]

Also, as far as his hitting goes (his OPS is still north of 1.000) someone pointed out on the radio yesterday that his numbers are pretty much identical to what Bryant's were since getting drafted.  I'll let someone else look that up.

Last I saw, they were actually a bit better. I've seen people using Bryant's promotion timeline to predict Schwarber's, but I don't think that's relevant because he's 1.) a catcher and 2.) the Cubs aren't in the same situation they were a year ago.

Bryant got 297 PAs at both AA and AAA. Schwarber's at 166.  Maybe he gets to 300 in about 45 days? That moves him to Iowa July 15. Sounds likely.

Again, I don't think he should be on the same timeline as Bryant. If they think his bat could help the major league team this year (which is probably debatable; they'd know better than us), he'll be up this year.

Moving him to Iowa 7/15 doesn't prevent him from being on the MLB roster at 8/31 and playoff roster eligible.

If they think he's valuable enough to help their theoretical playoff roster in 2015, why would they keep him in the minors for several more months?

I assume it's so he can learn how to catch. 

[Eli]

Also, as far as his hitting goes (his OPS is still north of 1.000) someone pointed out on the radio yesterday that his numbers are pretty much identical to what Bryant's were since getting drafted.  I'll let someone else look that up.

Last I saw, they were actually a bit better. I've seen people using Bryant's promotion timeline to predict Schwarber's, but I don't think that's relevant because he's 1.) a catcher and 2.) the Cubs aren't in the same situation they were a year ago.

Bryant got 297 PAs at both AA and AAA. Schwarber's at 166.  Maybe he gets to 300 in about 45 days? That moves him to Iowa July 15. Sounds likely.

Again, I don't think he should be on the same timeline as Bryant. If they think his bat could help the major league team this year (which is probably debatable; they'd know better than us), he'll be up this year.

Moving him to Iowa 7/15 doesn't prevent him from being on the MLB roster at 8/31 and playoff roster eligible.

If they think he's valuable enough to help their theoretical playoff roster in 2015, why would they keep him in the minors for several more months?

I assume it's so he can learn how to catch. 

If that's their prime concern, he'll probably need to be in the minors all or most of 2016 too.

[ChuckD]

Also, as far as his hitting goes (his OPS is still north of 1.000) someone pointed out on the radio yesterday that his numbers are pretty much identical to what Bryant's were since getting drafted.  I'll let someone else look that up.

Last I saw, they were actually a bit better. I've seen people using Bryant's promotion timeline to predict Schwarber's, but I don't think that's relevant because he's 1.) a catcher and 2.) the Cubs aren't in the same situation they were a year ago.

Bryant got 297 PAs at both AA and AAA. Schwarber's at 166.  Maybe he gets to 300 in about 45 days? That moves him to Iowa July 15. Sounds likely.

Again, I don't think he should be on the same timeline as Bryant. If they think his bat could help the major league team this year (which is probably debatable; they'd know better than us), he'll be up this year.

Moving him to Iowa 7/15 doesn't prevent him from being on the MLB roster at 8/31 and playoff roster eligible.

If they think he's valuable enough to help their theoretical playoff roster in 2015, why would they keep him in the minors for several more months?

I assume it's so he can learn how to catch. 

If that's their prime concern, he'll probably need to be in the minors all or most of 2016 too.

He's going to need to catch if he plays in the OF, too, guys (Chris Coghlan notwithstanding).

[Eli]

He's going to need to catch if he plays in the OF, too, guys (Chris Coghlan notwithstanding).

I chuckled while watching Coghlan's brain explode while trying to track Harper's 900-foot-high home run last night.

[PenFoe]

Keith Law just ranked Schwarber 15th on his prospect list, up from 90 before the season. 

STILL doesn't think he can stick at catcher though, which just shows how in love with his bat he is. 

[Eli]

Keith Law just ranked Schwarber 15th on his prospect list, up from 90 before the season. 

STILL doesn't think he can stick at catcher though, which just shows how in love with his bat he is. 

15th without sticking at catcher is pretty impressive given that he's going to be, at best, a mediocre left fielder and provide no value on the bases. I assume he'd be top 5 or even top 3 if Law thought he could stick at catcher.

[SKO]

He'll be a nice bat to have on the bench in a couple weeks when Schwarber comes up.

Is there a thread where we express awe at Kyle Schwarber?

Yes. He's like unto a God.

[Quality Start Machine]

2 HR Saturday, bumping him up to 12 on the year.

327/454/633 in Double A.

His numbers are creeping up on Bryant's AA numbers from last season.

[SKO]

2 HR Saturday, bumping him up to 12 on the year.

327/454/633 in Double A.

His numbers are creeping up on Bryant's AA numbers from last season.

And as far as K % and K:BB ratio goes he's been even better. Not to say he's better than Bryant, but with those K/BB numbers you'd think he might have an even more graceful transition to facing big league pitching than most.

Edited: according to the twitters Kyle's actually been better than Bryant through their first 45 AA games:

Schwarber: .327/.454/.633/1.087, 12 homers, 39 Ks (21.3 K%), 36 BBs (19.7%).
Bryant:      .335/.431/.623/1.054, 12 homers, 53 Ks (27.9%), 23 BBs (12.1%).

Holy shit.

[Eli]

2 HR Saturday, bumping him up to 12 on the year.

327/454/633 in Double A.

His numbers are creeping up on Bryant's AA numbers from last season.

And as far as K % and K:BB ratio goes he's been even better. Not to say he's better than Bryant, but with those K/BB numbers you'd think he might have an even more graceful transition to facing big league pitching than most.

Edited: according to the twitters Kyle's actually been better than Bryant through their first 45 AA games:

Schwarber: .327/.454/.633/1.087, 12 homers, 39 Ks (21.3 K%), 36 BBs (19.7%).
Bryant:      .335/.431/.623/1.054, 12 homers, 53 Ks (27.9%), 23 BBs (12.1%).

Holy shit.

I would love to see him called up, mostly to play left but also get some innings here and there at catcher (for example, late-game situations where Ross has started). He can continue working on his catcher skills this offseason if they're really committed to it. That bat is just too good to waste away in the minors when it could be aiding a playoff push.

[R-V]

2 HR Saturday, bumping him up to 12 on the year.

327/454/633 in Double A.

His numbers are creeping up on Bryant's AA numbers from last season.

And as far as K % and K:BB ratio goes he's been even better. Not to say he's better than Bryant, but with those K/BB numbers you'd think he might have an even more graceful transition to facing big league pitching than most.

Edited: according to the twitters Kyle's actually been better than Bryant through their first 45 AA games:

Schwarber: .327/.454/.633/1.087, 12 homers, 39 Ks (21.3 K%), 36 BBs (19.7%).
Bryant:      .335/.431/.623/1.054, 12 homers, 53 Ks (27.9%), 23 BBs (12.1%).

Holy shit.

I would love to see him called up, mostly to play left but also get some innings here and there at catcher (for example, late-game situations where Ross has started). He can continue working on his catcher skills this offseason if they're really committed to it. That bat is just too good to waste away in the minors when it could be aiding a playoff push.

I think I may have already proclaimed this on Twitter but that website is a fading star anyway so at the risk of repeating myself - I think Theo & Jed are going to do some crazy shit within the span of a day or two this month. Like, acquire Hamels and/or Papelbon, call up Schwarber and Baez, and for the biggest impact of all, activate Denorfia and La Stella.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

2 HR Saturday, bumping him up to 12 on the year.

327/454/633 in Double A.

His numbers are creeping up on Bryant's AA numbers from last season.

And as far as K % and K:BB ratio goes he's been even better. Not to say he's better than Bryant, but with those K/BB numbers you'd think he might have an even more graceful transition to facing big league pitching than most.

Edited: according to the twitters Kyle's actually been better than Bryant through their first 45 AA games:

Schwarber: .327/.454/.633/1.087, 12 homers, 39 Ks (21.3 K%), 36 BBs (19.7%).
Bryant:      .335/.431/.623/1.054, 12 homers, 53 Ks (27.9%), 23 BBs (12.1%).

Holy shit.

I would love to see him called up, mostly to play left but also get some innings here and there at catcher (for example, late-game situations where Ross has started). He can continue working on his catcher skills this offseason if they're really committed to it. That bat is just too good to waste away in the minors when it could be aiding a playoff push.

I think I may have already proclaimed this on Twitter but that website is a fading star anyway so at the risk of repeating myself - I think Theo & Jed are going to do some crazy shit within the span of a day or two this month. Like, acquire Hamels and/or Papelbon, call up Schwarber and Baez, and for the biggest impact of all, activate Denorfia and La Stella.

I'm pretty sure Tommy LaStella passed away.

[Eli]

2 HR Saturday, bumping him up to 12 on the year.

327/454/633 in Double A.

His numbers are creeping up on Bryant's AA numbers from last season.

And as far as K % and K:BB ratio goes he's been even better. Not to say he's better than Bryant, but with those K/BB numbers you'd think he might have an even more graceful transition to facing big league pitching than most.

Edited: according to the twitters Kyle's actually been better than Bryant through their first 45 AA games:

Schwarber: .327/.454/.633/1.087, 12 homers, 39 Ks (21.3 K%), 36 BBs (19.7%).
Bryant:      .335/.431/.623/1.054, 12 homers, 53 Ks (27.9%), 23 BBs (12.1%).

Holy shit.

I would love to see him called up, mostly to play left but also get some innings here and there at catcher (for example, late-game situations where Ross has started). He can continue working on his catcher skills this offseason if they're really committed to it. That bat is just too good to waste away in the minors when it could be aiding a playoff push.

I think I may have already proclaimed this on Twitter but that website is a fading star anyway so at the risk of repeating myself - I think Theo & Jed are going to do some crazy shit within the span of a day or two this month. Like, acquire Hamels and/or Papelbon, call up Schwarber and Baez, and for the biggest impact of all, activate Denorfia and La Stella.

I saw you say that. I think if the Cubs have a decent few weeks, it'll happen. They probably want to make sure the team is still in contention a bit closer to July. This hunch is based on absolutely nothing.

[Saul Goodman]

2 HR Saturday, bumping him up to 12 on the year.

327/454/633 in Double A.

His numbers are creeping up on Bryant's AA numbers from last season.

And as far as K % and K:BB ratio goes he's been even better. Not to say he's better than Bryant, but with those K/BB numbers you'd think he might have an even more graceful transition to facing big league pitching than most.

Edited: according to the twitters Kyle's actually been better than Bryant through their first 45 AA games:

Schwarber: .327/.454/.633/1.087, 12 homers, 39 Ks (21.3 K%), 36 BBs (19.7%).
Bryant:      .335/.431/.623/1.054, 12 homers, 53 Ks (27.9%), 23 BBs (12.1%).

Holy shit.

I would love to see him called up, mostly to play left but also get some innings here and there at catcher (for example, late-game situations where Ross has started). He can continue working on his catcher skills this offseason if they're really committed to it. That bat is just too good to waste away in the minors when it could be aiding a playoff push.

I think I may have already proclaimed this on Twitter but that website is a fading star anyway so at the risk of repeating myself - I think Theo & Jed are going to do some crazy shit within the span of a day or two this month. Like, acquire Hamels and/or Papelbon, call up Schwarber and Baez, and for the biggest impact of all, activate Denorfia and La Stella.

I saw you say that. I think if the Cubs have a decent few weeks, it'll happen. They probably want to make sure the team is still in contention a bit closer to July. This hunch is based on absolutely nothing.

Hard pass on Papelbon, unless the Phillies are paying basically all of it. Hamels, yes please. Zobrist and Clippard from Oakland would be nice. And for a nightcap, Chapman and Cueto? I can dream.

[SKO]

2 HR Saturday, bumping him up to 12 on the year.

327/454/633 in Double A.

His numbers are creeping up on Bryant's AA numbers from last season.

And as far as K % and K:BB ratio goes he's been even better. Not to say he's better than Bryant, but with those K/BB numbers you'd think he might have an even more graceful transition to facing big league pitching than most.

Edited: according to the twitters Kyle's actually been better than Bryant through their first 45 AA games:

Schwarber: .327/.454/.633/1.087, 12 homers, 39 Ks (21.3 K%), 36 BBs (19.7%).
Bryant:      .335/.431/.623/1.054, 12 homers, 53 Ks (27.9%), 23 BBs (12.1%).

Holy shit.

I would love to see him called up, mostly to play left but also get some innings here and there at catcher (for example, late-game situations where Ross has started). He can continue working on his catcher skills this offseason if they're really committed to it. That bat is just too good to waste away in the minors when it could be aiding a playoff push.

I think I may have already proclaimed this on Twitter but that website is a fading star anyway so at the risk of repeating myself - I think Theo & Jed are going to do some crazy shit within the span of a day or two this month. Like, acquire Hamels and/or Papelbon, call up Schwarber and Baez, and for the biggest impact of all, activate Denorfia and La Stella.

I saw you say that. I think if the Cubs have a decent few weeks, it'll happen. They probably want to make sure the team is still in contention a bit closer to July. This hunch is based on absolutely nothing.

Hard pass on Papelbon, unless the Phillies are paying basically all of it. Hamels, yes please. Zobrist and Clippard from Oakland would be nice. And for a nightcap, Chapman and Cueto? I can dream.

They could easily absorb Papelbon's 13 mil salary next year without affecting their long term plan. Plus that option only vests if he finishes 48 games this year. So far he's finished 19 this year. Could be fairly easy to keep him from hitting that if he plays poorly enough down the stretch that they're sure he couldn't help them next year.