Kyle Schwarber to play first base for Phillies in Clearwater
Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, the team’s leadoff batter for the past three seasons, has made it known that he’ll hit anywhere in the lineup in 2025. It looks like that mindset applies to defense as well.
Schwarber spent his first two seasons in Philadelphia as the club’s primary left fielder, then played only five games in the field last year as he transitioned into a full-time designated hitter. This year, Schwarber could end up seeing some more time defensively at first base if his start at the position in Thursday’s spring training game is any indication.
The two-time All-Star will play first base for the first time since 2021 as the Phillies take on the New York Yankees in a Grapefruit League game at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla. Entering the major leagues as a catcher, Schwarber quickly transitioned to the outfield early in his career, but he spent the second half of the 2021 season as Boston’s first baseman after the Red Sox traded for him.
The move was an adjustment for Schwarber as he played 19 games at the position between the regular season and postseason for the Red Sox. In Game 3 of the American League Division Series, he botched a routine flip play to the pitcher, then sarcastically celebrated when he connected on one later in the game. Schwarber is no Gold Glover and he knows it, but he’s been willing to give it his best shot in the past and again now for the Phillies.
Schwarber playing a capable first base for Philadelphia this spring would be helpful in providing some flexibility once the regular season starts. If he can play the position a handful of times throughout the year, it would allow Bryce Harper to get some days at DH. It could also let the Phillies slide catcher J.T. Realmuto to DH on days when Harper is out of the lineup completely. With this configuration, the team could get some of its veterans off their feet more, while Schwarber, who turns 32 next week, plays a position that is less demanding than his old spot in left.
In other positional news, Edmundo Sosa will start in left field for the Phillies on Thursday. While the Phillies have entertained the idea before and had him play both left and center field in the spring of 2023, Sosa has played only 5 1/3 regular-season innings in the outfield in his career. However, the team is thin on right-handed hitters who can play the outfield after Weston Wilson strained his oblique, sitting him out for at least six weeks. It doesn’t hurt to see if Sosa can handle some time in left field before the season starts.