Chicago Cubs prospect Kyle Schwarber Shines in Futures Game

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Schwarber puts skills on display in Futures Game


On Sunday, Chicago Cubs minor-league prospect Kyle Schwarber won the MVP award in the 2015 SiriusXM Futures Game. The former Indiana University catcher went 1-for-3 from behind the plate and knocked in two runs in the third inning with a triple. 

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For the sixth consecutive year, Team USA beat the World Team 10-1 in the Futures Game which showcases the best minor league talent. The game was contested on Sunday night at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Ohio. The USA team has an 11-7 all-time lead in this series.

Schwarber reflected on the experience to MLB.com reporter Mark Sheldon after the game.

"It was a great experience, being able to play in front of all my friends and family and all these great fans and to play with a great group of guys. It was easy to get along with these guys. There were no personalities [getting in the way]. We were all here for the same purpose — to have fun.—-Quote obtained from an article written by Yahoo! Sports reporter Chris Cwik"

The Futures Game is the latest example of what Kyle Schwarber can do at the plate. In 75 minor league games this season, he is slashing .323/.430/.591 with 49 RBIs and 16 home runs.  The Chicago Cubs selected the 22-year-old catcher from Middletown, Ohio fourth overall in the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft.

He made his Major League debut with the Chicago Cubs on June 16, 2015, against the Cleveland Indians. In his six-game stint with the Chicago Cubs, Schwarber split .364/.391/.591 in 23 plate appearances. On June 21, the Chicago Cubs elected to option Schwarber to Triple-A Iowa.

In a postgame interview, he said that the demotion didn’t upset him because it gave him the opportunity to play in the Futures Game.

"I wasn’t disappointed at all to go back down. One of the benefits is being able to play in this game. This is awesome. —-Quote obtained by the Associated Press"

Schwarber, who is from Ohio and grew up cheering for the Cincinnati Reds, relished the opportunity to play at Great American Ballpark, the home of the Reds.

"It was awesome to come out and actually step on the field I grew up watching ballgames on. It was special. My eyes lit up as soon as I stepped on it.—-Quote obtained by MLB.com writer Mark Sheldon"

He said that over 100 relatives and friends were in attendance to watch him play. He may get another opportunity to play in this stadium if he does receive a call-up in the coming weeks.

Next: The return of Schwarber could be near