Chicago Cubs: Kyle Schwarber is closer than you think to providing significant value

Schwarber doesn’t need to be a world-beater to be valuable

Based on his abysmal 2017 numbers alone, Schwarber is poised for a real comeback next season. If 2018 is a continuation of his second half from this year, he’ll be a mainstay in the Cubs lineup. And that’s really all he has to do. The fact is, Schwarber doesn’t need to hit .300 (or even much close to that) to be an offensive asset for the Cubs.

In what could easily end up being the worst year of his career, Schwarber still managed to hit 30 home runs. While patience and pitch selection greatly impeded his overall production, the power was still there. And with a more refined approach, it’s possible his already-impressive power numbers could get even better.

Both Schwarber and skipper Joe Maddon have stated that steps will be taken for him to progress before the start of the 2018 season.

If he can hit somewhere in the ballpark of, say, .250, get on base at an above average clip (which he’s proven he’s capable of doing), and hit around 35 or more home runs, he’ll be a catalyst in a powerful Cubs offense. His figure and World Series heroics may be emblematic of Babe Ruth, but the truth is he doesn’t need to be anything close to Ruth to be a cog in a high-powered lineup.