Kyle Schwarber 2025 NL MVP Candidate
Kyle Schwarber’s Resurgence: An MVP Chase and a Reminder of Baseball’s Enduring Power
Table of Contents
Kyle Schwarber is having a season. again. And while Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge rightfully command much of teh baseball conversation, Schwarber’s consistent power and surprising all-around contributions are making this an MVP race worth watching. At 32, he’s not just keeping pace with the young stars; he’s reminding us that baseball greatness doesn’t always have an expiration date.
Schwarber’s Staying Power: Age is Just a Number
It’s easy to get caught up in the hype surrounding Ohtani and Judge, both of whom are younger and seemingly on a different plane of athletic existence. But Schwarber is proving that experience, refined skill, and sheer determination can be just as potent. He’s a year younger than Judge and just a year older than Ohtani – a testament to his continued dominance.
He’s not a new player; you’ve known what he can do. And he’s doing it now. Remember just two years ago? A .197 batting average paired with a staggering 47 home runs, 104 RBIs, and 108 runs scored. It was a statistical anomaly, yes, but it showcased a core truth about Schwarber: when he connects, he really connects. That hasn’t changed. when he puts the ball in play, it goes somewhere. And that’s good news for the Phillies – and for baseball fans.
A Phillies Legend in the Making?
Recently, Schwarber blasted two more home runs, including a grand slam, in a dominant Phillies performance against the Orioles. The roar of the crowd, chanting “MVP!” was a clear indication of his impact. After the game, he was asked about potentially challenging Ryan Howard’s franchise record of 58 home runs.
His response was characteristically humble: “I’m not trying to go out there and think about records or anything like that. 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.”
That’s Schwarber in a nutshell – team-frist, focused on the present, and letting the results speak for themselves. And the results are speaking volumes. He’s great to watch, and he’s been great for a while. He didn’t get cheated as a young player with the Cubs,and he isn’t getting cheated now.Currently, he’s just two home runs behind Raleigh’s lead, leading the league in RBIs, and on pace to potentially reach 50 home runs – a feat both Ohtani and Judge accomplished last year.Phillies manager rob Thomson sums it up perfectly: “He’s astonishing.”
The MVP Race is Heating Up
Shohei Ohtani is a phenomenal talent, and his three MVP Awards are well-deserved.He continues to amaze with his two-way prowess. His current stats – a .381 on-base percentage,.606 slugging percentage, and .987 OPS – are otherworldly.
But Schwarber is right there with him. His own impressive numbers – a .379 on-base percentage, .585 slugging percentage, and .964 OPS – demonstrate a level of offensive production that rivals Ohtani’s. As of this writing, Schwarber has 40 home runs to Ohtani’s 39. Both are leading their teams, who are currently in first place in their respective divisions.
For a long time, the MVP seemed like a foregone conclusion for Ohtani. But Schwarber’s consistent performance is making this a genuine competition. The race is on,and baseball fans are the winners. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about witnessing the enduring power of a player who continues to defy expectations and deliver thrilling moments on the field. It’s a reminder that baseball is a game for all ages, and that sometimes, the moast compelling stories are the ones about players who just keep on keeping on.