Schwarber’s Transformation into a Complete Hitter
PHILADELPHIA — A few years back, Kyle Schwarber learned a valuable lesson that has shaped his approach at the plate. Though he can’t recall the source, a particular story stuck with him: a left-handed hitter shared the secret to his success against the legendary Randy Johnson, one of the top left-handed pitchers in history. The hitter’s advice was simple: “You have to be prepared to die.”
The Impact of the C-Flap Helmet
As the 2023 season approached its conclusion, Schwarber kept this mantra in mind. By the time Game 162 arrived, the Phillies had a matchup set against the Miami Marlins in the Wild Card Series. Schwarber requested to wear a C-Flap helmet during this crucial game, anticipating he would face Miami’s lefty pitcher, Jesús Luzardo, soon after. This helmet helped him brace for Luzardo’s powerful sinker. However, during that playoff series, Schwarber struck out five times in eight at-bats and subsequently abandoned the helmet for the rest of the postseason.
Building Confidence Against Lefties
He decided to wear the helmet again to kick off the 2024 season, adding extra padding to his right hand and left wrist specifically for encounters with left-handed pitchers. On only the third day of the season, despite initial doubts about starting against Atlanta Braves lefty Chris Sale, Schwarber fought for inclusion in the lineup. He promptly hit a home run on the second pitch he saw.
Success Against Left-Handed Pitchers
As of now, Schwarber leads all MLB left-handed hitters in plate appearances against lefties this season, totaling 313. Among hitters with at least 50 plate appearances against left-handers, only Yordan Alvarez and Juan Soto have a higher OPS than Schwarber, who is currently tied for the league lead in home runs. Half of his 14 homers this season have come against lefties.
The Evolution of Schwarber’s Approach
Schwarber’s advancement is not solely due to the helmet; it has been a long-term transformation. Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long notes Schwarber’s unique ability to push beyond limitations others place on him. Before facing difficult lefties, Schwarber often reminds himself, “Be prepared to die.” This thought process correlates, perhaps coincidentally, with his success since donning the face guard.
The Significance of March 31, 2024
Schwarber identifies March 31, 2024, as a pivotal moment, recalling his mixed performance against Sale, but sensing something was amiss in his game—and then everything clicked. Long credits this transformation to hard work dating back to 2021 when they both played for the Washington Nationals. After struggling as a platoon hitter for the Cubs, he improved significantly against lefties during his tenure with the Nationals and Red Sox.
Continuous Improvement
The transition from being labeled a platoon player to an elite left-on-left hitter is no small feat. Teams still challenge Schwarber with lefty pitchers, but he has managed to maintain a solid batting average against them since 2024. As Schwarber continues to adapt, he emphasizes the importance of effort and understanding pitcher angles, striving to remove any stigma surrounding matchups against lefties.
