Chicago Cubs: Kyle Schwarber embracing role as an outfielder
Kyle Schwarber was drafted as a catcher but he is beginning to embrace his future as a full-time outfielder for the Chicago Cubs.
As long as the National League remains allergic to the designated hitter rule, there will always be a debate regarding where the Chicago Cubs should play Kyle Schwarber.
Schwarber was drafted as catcher but his offensive skills forced him to the Major League level before he was ready to be a full-time catcher. Prior to Schwarber tearing his meniscus at the beginning of the 2016 Major League Baseball season, the the plan was for him to play in the outfield and slowly develop as a catcher.
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Though, in the time that Schwarber missed due to his injury, Willson Contreras not only emerged as the Cubs’ primary catcher but as the team’s long-term answer at the position as well. With Contreras in place, Schwarber is ready to embrace his role as an outfielder. The same role that he was criticized in during the Cubs’ 2015 National League Championship series against the New York Mets.
While speaking on 670 The Score, Schwarber stressed that he won’t let the criticism define him and is working on becoming an improved outfielder.
“I’m not going to let a couple plays define me as a defensive player,” Schwarber said. “I feel like I can hold my own out in the outfield. I’m not too worried about that. I’m going to work my butt off to be as good as I can be defensively. I’ve been doing a lot of work this offseason, taking some fly balls.”
“I can’t let a few plays define the type of player I feel like I am and that my teammate feel I am. I’m a guy who’s going to give it 100 percent every time I’m out there on the field, and if I make a mistake, I’d rather it be an aggressive mistake than a passive mistake.”
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Schwarber defensively in the outfield is one of the Cubs’ biggest questions as they enter the 2017 season. Fortunately for the Cubs, the team is filled with versatility. Meaning, the Cubs could begin games with Schwarber in left field and then remove him during the later innings for a defensive upgrade. Between Ben Zobrist, Jon Jay, Albert Almora Jr., and even Kris Bryant, the Cubs will have their options.