Chicago Cubs: Frank Schwindel, Patrick Wisdom make MLB All-Rookie Team

In a mostly forgettable, brutal season for the Chicago Cubs fans, the one bright spot during that brutal final stretch of the season came from their aging rookies. Patrick Wisdom and Frank Schwindel both proved they still had a lot to prove even when approaching 30 and have earned spots on the 2022 team.

While they’re certainly not going to bring home NL Rookie of the Year, they have at least gotten some recognition. Both Cubs made it onto MLB Pipeline’s 2021 All-Rookie Team with Wisdom making the first team and Schwindel getting on the second team. It’s a big accomplishment for Schwisdom (I had to hear it so you do as well) and a perfect way to cap off their historic rookie run.

The Chicago Cubs have a duo of talented old corner infield rookies

We’ve covered all the major storylines from the pair’s improbable breakout this season, from Wisdom surpassing Kris Bryant’s rookie home run record to Schwindel earning Rookie of the Month… twice. Together, they drove a lot of the discussion around the Cubs and single-handedly changed some of the team’s off-season approach with their breakout.

Were it not for their breakout, the Cubs’ offseason shopping list becomes longer with a definite need of a first and third baseman going forward. Schwindel, in particular, won a chance to start at first with his insane play, allowing the team to focus more on filling the more urgent holes in the rotation. It’s a rare feat to see a late bloomer, let alone two whom other organizations gave up on, break their way into a big-league lineup.

Schwindel likely would’ve ended up on the first All-Rookie Team as well had he played more games. He ended the 2021 season with an absurd .326/.371/.591 slash line, good for a 152 wRC+. The question with both has always been about how sustainable this all is. Wisdom, for all the raw power, never really fixed the hole in his swing and struck out over 40 percent of the time. The final month of the season was especially rough as he only hit .150 with only three home runs.

Whether the two can follow in the steps of guys like Max Muncy, Justin Turner or Mike Yastrzemski depends on closing their existing holes. Schwindel has a lot more to like with a low strikeout rate (under 16 percent) and absurd bat-to-ball skills, but even the expected stats aren’t as convinced of his abilities. His xBA is only .260 with an xSLG of .440, a far cry from the actual results.

The fact that both made the All-Rookie Team is a reflection of the talent they possess and their amazing performances this summer. It’s not realistic to see either at this level again, but they flashed enough that they can still become dependable pieces for the Cubs.