Chicago Cubs Promote Prospect Kyle Schwarber
The Chicago Cubs have announced they are promoting top catching prospect Kyle Schwarber. Theo Epstein announced Monday Night the promotion will be for six days as the team gains a DH for inter-league play. Epstein stated, “His next stop is to continue his development as a catcher at Triple-A. First, however, he is going to join the Major League team for six days to contribute as a designated hitter, as a bat off the bench, and as a third catcher.” Personally, I think ever since Theo traded Welington Castillo he hasn’t felt comfortable with only two catchers on the active roster.
Schwarber has perhaps the best raw power potential of any prospect today. He destroyed pitching in Single-A ball last year by posting a 1.061 OPS and he has shown he is beyond Double-A by posting a 1.017 OPS so far this year. He is perhaps the most major league ready hitting prospect left in the minors and miles above other catching prospects in terms of his hit and power tools.
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If you are in a dynasty or keeper league, you should own Schwarber. However, outside of NL-only leagues he is not worth a roster spot right now. Even if you wanted to play him in the next six days to try to get a little power it may not be worth it. His K% has been 20.2% this season and he will be facing Trevor Bauer, Danny Salazar, Carlos Carrasco, Phil Hughes, Trevor May, and Kyle Gibson.
The three Indians pitchers have an average K/9 of 10.2%, which doesn’t bode well for the power-hitting lefty, Schwarber. The Cubs will then face Twins’ pitching that isn’t fantastic, but they have been playing very well and play in a pitcher’s park in Minnesota.
If you are in a keeper league, you need to stop reading this great post and see if he is available. If so, add him. Now, doesn’t that feel better? You just added the best catching prospect who could potentially help your team down the stretch this year, but will definitely help you in years to come. He could be a rare catcher that hits for average and mashes the ball. However, he could turn out to be like Jesus Montero or Mike Zunino. Luckily, he doesn’t play for the place where prospects go to die – Seattle.
The Cubs are continuing their youth revolution, but we may have to wait a bit before Kyle Schwarber really starts contributing. What do you think about the Cubs youth movement? Do you believe they will continue to compete this season?