Chicago Cubs: Is the front office too high on Kyle Schwarber?

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So, as hyped as he was heading into 2016, this performance etched his name into Cubs lore. More than a handful of folks expected him to vie for the NL MVP honors last year. Instead, his time as the team’s leadoff hitter ended up in flames and he was demoted to Triple-A Iowa.

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After returning from Iowa, he performed better – although a far cry from MVP-worthy numbers.

He barely hit .250, but, again, his ability to push the on-base percentage kept him in the lineup. That, and the fact he blasted 17 home runs in 61 games.

As high as fans were on him after 2016, no one really knew what to expect after the team’s 2017 campaign ended in disappointment with an NLCS exit against the Los Angeles Dodgers. But, again, Schwarber surprised some folks.

He completely transformed his body in the offseason, dropping a ton of weight and becoming an athletic, versatile piece of the Cubs’ roster.

Again, people bought into it big-time, expecting big things from the young former Indiana University standout.