Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber is set to compete in Monday night’s Home Run Derby at Dodgers Stadium, one night before he’ll appear in his second consecutive All-Star Game. The Derby field was set tonight, and Schwarber earned himself the number one seed, and he’ll face off against future Hall of Fame first baseman Albert Pujols in the first round.
Schwarber has had an outstanding first season in red pinstripes, slashing .234/.341/.495 across 378 plate appearances, with a whopping 28 home runs and 57 RBI. His 28 jacks currently lead the National League, and he’ll be a heavy favorite to advance through the first round against the 42-year-old Pujols.
Schwarber was a first-round pick of the Chicago Cubs in 2014, and went on to win a World Series on the North Side two years later. He competed once before in the Home Run Derby in 2018, besting future teammate Rhys Hoskins en route to losing in the final round to another future teammate, Bryce Harper.
It’s another loaded field this year, with twice-reigning champion Pete Alonso, Ronald Acuña Jr., Corey Seager, Julio Rodriguez, Juan Soto and José Ramirez rounding out the competition.
After a second-straight torrid June, Schwarber earned himself National League Player of the Month honors and helped propel the Phillies into a wildcard spot. With the team sputtering into the All-Star break, he’ll look to keep things rolling after the festivities.
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