Philadelphia Phillies fans are used to seeing Kyle Schwarber in the batter’s box, not in the infield dirt. But on Tuesday night against the Miami Marlins, the slugger will pull on a first baseman’s mitt for the first time in over two years — and only the 10th time in his entire 12-year big league career.
According to Talkin’ Baseball, Schwarber is starting at first base for just the 10th time across 12 seasons. All nine of his previous appearances at the position came during a brief stint with the Boston Red Sox in 2021. That was a half-season experiment that saw him log 39 innings at first before the Phillies signed him as a primary designated hitter and left fielder.
The move raises an obvious question: why now?
Philadelphia is riding a wave of improved play, sitting at 39-33 after shaking off a sluggish start to the season. With the Atlanta Braves still holding a firm grip on the NL East, the Phillies are looking for every edge they can get. Manager Rob Thomson may be testing Schwarber’s versatility to open up lineup options or give other regulars a breather. The club has not confirmed whether this is a one-time experiment or a sign of things to come.
Schwarber’s resurgent season
The first base cameo comes during what has been another All-Star caliber campaign for Schwarber. He has been a consistent force in the middle of Philadelphia’s lineup and is trending toward a starting spot in next month’s All-Star Game, which will be held at Citizens Bank Park. His bat has been too hot to sit — even if his glove is getting a rare workout.
Fans online noted the irony of the timing. Schwarber has not started a game at first base since his half-year in Boston, and the Phillies’ infield defense has generally been solid without him. Still, the move suggests the coaching staff is willing to think outside the box for potential matchups down the stretch.
Meanwhile, other Phillies hitters are beginning to find their rhythm after cold starts. The lineup is deeper than it was in April, and the hope in the clubhouse is that the team’s stars will peak at the right moment — something that did not happen last season.
Lessons from last year’s collapse
Last season, Philadelphia cruised to the NL East title only to stall in the playoffs. A devastating error in Game 4 of the NLDS handed the Los Angeles Dodgers a series-clinching win, and the eventual World Series champions sent the Phillies home early. That bitter ending still lingers.
Schwarber’s move to first base is unlikely to define the season, but it shows a team that is still searching for an edge. Tuesday’s game against the Marlins gets underway at 6:40 p.m. ET. If the experiment works, it might not be the last time Schwarber trades the DH spot for a glove.
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