Kyle Schwarber proves himself at first base with a solid defensive performance…
Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber had a chance to showcase his defensive skills on Friday night, giving his teammates a rare look at him in the field. After seeing no action in his first infield start of the spring, his second outing at first base proved to be more eventful.
During the Phillies’ 6-5 loss to the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field, Schwarber made two impressive plays moving to his right and successfully completed another out after initially bobbling the ball. Starting pitcher Taijuan Walker praised his effort, noting that Schwarber looked comfortable and athletic at the position.
Schwarber previously played first base with the Red Sox in 2021, though it wasn’t his strongest showing. Now, he’s giving it another go in an effort to provide relief for teammates like Bryce Harper. His teammates enjoy seeing him in the field and don’t hesitate to joke about it.
“They always give me crap whenever I’m in the field,” Schwarber admitted. “But it’s fun. You can smile, laugh, and give it back.”
Schwarber has been working diligently with infield coach Bobby Dickerson to refine his skills at first base. He views the challenge as an opportunity for growth.
“It would be easy to just grab a bat and keep swinging, but you can always learn something new,” he said.
On Friday, Schwarber displayed his progress, making clean plays, including a smooth grounder pickup and a diving stop. Even when he misjudged a hop, he quickly recovered to secure the out. Phillies manager Rob Thomson acknowledged the mistake but expressed confidence in Schwarber’s development, emphasizing that additional reps will help him improve.
With continued effort, Schwarber could become a viable option at first base during the season. While he doesn’t expect to become an elite defender, he’s embracing the opportunity to contribute beyond his bat.
“I’m definitely getting more confident,” Schwarber said. “It’s about taking that learning curve and running with it.”
