The Philadelphia Phillies aim to split their four-game series with the San Francisco Giants on Thursday afternoon. Despite dropping the first two games of the week, the Phillies hold a 10-8 record and are just one game behind in the National League East.
A major factor behind their strong start to the season has been their offense.
Philadelphia ranks 11th in batting average, 11th in OPS, second in walks drawn, and averages 4.1 runs per game.
With key players like Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, and Trea Turner in the lineup, the Phillies have been a difficult team for opponents to shut down.
One player at the top of their order, however, stands out as a game-changer.
MLB.com recently ranked the top-10 hitters in the league for 2025, factoring in past performances, current season stats, and recent form. Kyle Schwarber came in at No. 6, despite not being ranked at the start of the year.
Schwarber, now in his 11th MLB season, has appeared in every game for the Phillies. While he’s shifted to a full-time designated hitter role, he still plays left field when needed.
Through 18 games in 2025, the left-handed hitter has posted a .266/.420/.594 line, with six home runs, 12 RBIs, 15 walks, and 15 runs scored. Schwarber ranks in the 95th percentile for average exit velocity, the 97th percentile for hard-hit percentage, and the 95th percentile for bat speed, and he rarely chases pitches outside the strike zone.
While he’s prone to striking out due to his aggressive swing, when Schwarber connects, the ball comes off his bat with authority, and there’s always a chance it will leave the park.
Over his four years with the Phillies, the former first-round pick has led the league in home runs once, strikeouts twice, and walks once.
At 32 years old, Schwarber has also had a season where his batting average finished below .200, but his OPS still exceeded .800. He doesn’t need to hit for a high average, as his power and walk rate more than make up for it.
Schwarber has remained healthy at Citizens Bank Park and has been a key contributor to the Phillies’ success in recent seasons. With his strong start to 2025, the veteran DH is proving why he belongs among the top-10 hitters in Major League Baseball.
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