Kyle Schwarber is making a strong case for the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award this season, as he continues to deliver key performances for the Philadelphia Phillies. With 40 home runs—one more than Shohei Ohtani—and leading Major League Baseball with 94 RBIs, Schwarber has become a central figure in the Phillies’ push at the top of the standings.
Schwarber’s offensive output has been notable, especially as he approaches free agency. He has now hit 40 or more home runs in three of his four seasons with Philadelphia. His performance places him among some of baseball’s biggest stars, including Ohtani and Aaron Judge, while Cal Raleigh leads MLB with 42 home runs for the Mariners.
During this year’s All-Star Game, Schwarber was named MVP after hitting decisive home runs in the final swing-off to secure a win for the National League. Reflecting on his journey since being non-tendered by the Cubs after 2020 and leaving Boston following the 2021 season, Schwarber remains focused on contributing to his team rather than individual records.
“I’m not trying to go out there and think about records or anything like that,” Schwarber said. “I’m just trying to go out on a daily basis and try to help these guys. If [breaking Howard’s record] happens, it’s great. If it doesn’t, it’s great.”
Phillies manager Rob Thomson praised Schwarber’s contributions: “He’s unbelievable.”
Schwarber is no stranger to high-pressure moments. In 2016, after recovering from knee surgery early in the season, he returned to play a pivotal role in helping the Chicago Cubs win their first World Series title in over a century.
This season, both Schwarber and Ohtani are producing similar numbers at the plate: Ohtani holds an on-base percentage of .381 with a .606 slugging percentage and .987 OPS; Schwarber has an OBP of .379, slugging .585 with a .964 OPS. Both players are key contributors for first-place teams.
As discussions around MVP intensify, Schwarber remains focused on team success rather than personal accolades.
