Last Updated on October 5, 2024 by Matt Musico
Baseball has changed a lot over the years. It’s more analytical than ever, which has led to us seeing things we probably never expected. One thing that’s been front and center is Kyle Schwarber leadoff home runs.
Yeah, I know — I wasn’t expecting it either, but when it happens at the right time and everything clicks, it just works.
Before 2021, Schwarber accumulated plate appearances as a leadoff hitter in five different seasons. In three of those years (2015, 2018, and 2020), he racked up no more than eight plate appearances. On the two other occasions (2017 and 2019), he racked up 173 and 253 plate appearances, respectively, but it didn’t necessarily lead to great results.
Schwarber posted a .693 OPS and an 84 wRC+ with seven home runs as the Chicago Cubs’ leadoff hitter in 2017. It was better in 2019, as his OPS went up to .825, along with a 106 wRC+ and 17 home runs.
With the Nationals in 2021, manager Dave Martinez plugged Schwarber into the leadoff spot in June, and it was suddenly magic. During a month in which he accumulated 116 plate appearances, Schwarber slashed .280/.362/.760 with 16 (!) homers and 30 RBI. Those 16 taters got dangerously close to Sammy Sosa’s MLB record of 20 homers in a month, which he did in June of 1998 for the Cubs.
One record he did tie, though? The most leadoff home runs in a month. Schwarber’s June 2021 streak included seven. MLB.com’s Jason Catania noticed what was happening when he hit his fifth, but then Schwarber proceeded to hit two more before the calendar flipped to July.
The magic continued beyond June, as he hit one for the Boston Red Sox after getting acquired by them in the middle of the season (and then again in the postseason). He’s kept it going since joining the Phillies in 2022, as well.
Now, “Kyle Schwarber, Leadoff Hitter” doesn’t sound so crazy anymore. With this in mind, I thought it’d be fun to keep a running tally of all the leadoff Schwarb-bombs out there. They’ll be split up by team below.
Related: A Complete Guide to Single-Season (& Single-Game) HR Performances
Kyle Schwarber Leadoff Home Runs: Chicago Cubs
May 24, 2019 vs. Cincinnati Reds
May 29, 2019 vs. Houston Astros
June 13, 2019 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
June 18, 2019 vs. Chicago White Sox
June 27, 2019 vs. Atlanta Braves
Kyle Schwarber Leadoff Home Runs: Washington Nationals
June 12, 2021 vs. San Francisco Giants
Vaunted leadoff slugger Kyle Schwarber launched his 10th HR of the season. It landed it the 2nd deck.
(It was his 6th career leadoff Schwar💣.)#NATITUDE // https://t.co/Q3S2lefCHS pic.twitter.com/JLWB5cLgrI
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 12, 2021
June 13, 2021 vs. San Francisco Giants
Raise your hand if you've hit a leadoff HR two days in a row…
*Kyle Schwarber raises hand*#NATITUDE // https://t.co/Q3S2lefCHS pic.twitter.com/WW0LRrMKQP
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 13, 2021
June 19, 2021 vs. New York Mets
For the 27th time in his career, Kyle Schwarber hit a HR during a Jon Lester start.#NATITUDE // https://t.co/Q3S2lefCHS pic.twitter.com/YgZtdIVXAF
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 19, 2021
June 20, 2021 vs. New York Mets
We moved Kyle Schwarber to the leadoff spot on June 8.
In 13 games since, he's hit 7 HRs and 14 RBIs.
The Best Leadoff Hitter in @MLB™@kschwarb12 // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/2sieZjrSG0
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 20, 2021
June 24, 2021 vs. Miami Marlins
This is Kyle Schwarber's 13th game hitting leadoff for the #Nats.
He's tied for 3rd in team history with 5 leadoff HRs.@kschwarb12 // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/KrE155F8sA
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 24, 2021
June 28, 2021 vs. New York Mets
Here's your daily Kyle Schwarber June HR tally update:
June 12 – SCHWAR💣
June 13 – 2 SCHWAR💣s
June 14 – SCHWAR💣
June 19 – 2 SCHWAR💣s
June 20 – 3 SCHWAR💣s
June 23 – SCHWAR💣
June 24 – 2 SCHWAR💣s
June 25 – SCHWAR💣
June 28 – SCHWAR💣@kschwarb12 // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/3YUdqqSvwJ— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 28, 2021
June 29, 2021 vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Here's your daily Kyle Schwarber June HR tally update:
6/12 – SCHWAR💣
6/13 – 2 SCHWAR💣s
6/14 – SCHWAR💣
6/19 – 2 SCHWAR💣s
6/20 – 3 SCHWAR💣s
6/23 – SCHWAR💣
6/24 – 2 SCHWAR💣s
6/25 – SCHWAR💣
6/28 – 2 SCHWAR💣s
6/29 – SCHWAR💣@kschwarb12 // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/8MzZMA7UVO— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 29, 2021
Kyle Schwarber Leadoff Home Runs: Boston Red Sox
September 3, 2021 vs. Cleveland Guardians
Kyle Schwarber gives Boston the lead with his 4th Red Sox home run. #DirtyWater | #MLB
— Jamie Gatlin (@JamieGatlin17) September 3, 2021
October 10, 2021 vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Kyle Schwarber Leadoff Home Runs: Philadelphia Phillies
April 8, 2022 vs. Oakland Athletics
June 3, 2022 vs. Los Angeles Angels
July 5, 2022 vs. Washington Nationals
July 22, 2022 vs. Chicago Cubs
September 25, 2022 vs. Atlanta Braves
Kyle Schwarber 💣 pic.twitter.com/0Go7qyjcQD
— MLB Clutch Moments And Walk Offs (@MLBWalk_Offs) September 25, 2022
October 1, 2022 vs. Washington Nationals
Schwar. Bomb. #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/3927AYaGNx
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 1, 2022
October 3, 2022 vs. Houston Astros
Leadoff Schwarbomb, that's right#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/lDzU5O2kJE
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 4, 2022
November 3, 2022 vs. Houston Astros
June 6, 2023 vs. Detroit Tigers
Homering to start the game? Totally Kyle. pic.twitter.com/y54TDsy3sq
— MLB (@MLB) June 6, 2023
June 13, 2023 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
That's how you start a ballgame!
A 450-ft Schwar💣. pic.twitter.com/pKf2Vd9keW
— MLB (@MLB) June 14, 2023
June 16, 2023 vs. Oakland Athletics
Well that's how you start a game!#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/PUKtwdQVzI
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 17, 2023
June 18, 2023 vs. Oakland Athletics
Schwune 18th #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/5mJbL2HG2B
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 18, 2023
June 29, 2023 vs. Chicago Cubs
It took Schwarbs ONE PITCH to get this game going #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/6uLZwXO0qr
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 30, 2023
July 18, 2023 vs. Milwaukee Brewers
tired: June Schwarber
wired: July Schwarber#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/9XPNoxDelk
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 18, 2023
August 27, 2023 vs. St. Louis Cardinals
ONE PITCH, YOU KNOW THE RULES #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/Ad8mPRejZc
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 27, 2023
September 1, 2023 vs. Milwaukee Brewers
A Schwarbomb of the leadoff variety. 💣 pic.twitter.com/avU5RVXXK3
— MLB (@MLB) September 2, 2023
September 2, 2023 vs. Milwaukee Brewers
THAT'S OUR LEADOFF MAN 🫡#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/qne1h8l4jT
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 2, 2023
September 6, 2023 vs. San Diego Padres
Another day, another leadoff homer for Kyle Schwarber! pic.twitter.com/xKnIlLSHtP
— MLB (@MLB) September 6, 2023
September 28, 2023 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Kyle Schwarber goes 2nd deck to lead things off!
(MLB x @EvanWilliamsUSA) pic.twitter.com/66LjZSqSnx
— MLB (@MLB) September 28, 2023
October 17, 2023 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
YOU'RE JOKING pic.twitter.com/XNDCbcJ1e4
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 17, 2023
March 31, 2024 vs. Atlanta Braves
Kyle Schwarber gets one right back for the @Phillies. 😤 pic.twitter.com/7wRzKFMeXc
— MLB (@MLB) March 31, 2024
April 13, 2024 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Saturdays are for Schwarbombs 💣 pic.twitter.com/slL45fqlEX
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 13, 2024
April 17, 2024 vs. Colorado Rockies
Starting off the night with BACK-TO-BACK jacks #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/0GBHHBIcVd
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 17, 2024
April 26, 2024 vs. San Diego Padres
Schwarbomb #100 as a Phillie!#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/B24OosdThi
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 27, 2024
May 29, 2024 vs. San Francisco Giants
Kyle Schwarber leadoff home run! @Cherry_Pins pic.twitter.com/KMuSNUYdN0
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 29, 2024
June 11, 2024 vs. Boston Red Sox
No jet lag here#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/E3zc5V8JqZ
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 11, 2024
June 14, 2024 vs. Baltimore Orioles
Well hello there Schwarbs!#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/YHoUWeP7yE
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 14, 2024
July 10, 2024 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Schwarbomb!#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/0V1q10FiCK
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 10, 2024
July 28, 2024 vs. Cleveland Guardians
Kyle Schwarber leadoff bomb! pic.twitter.com/7gMwD7tCQG
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 28, 2024
August 4, 2024 vs. Seattle Mariners
114.9 MPH off the bat 😮💨
Kyle Schwarber destroys his 41st career leadoff HR. pic.twitter.com/DJRODldxkL
— MLB (@MLB) August 4, 2024
August 7, 2024 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Kyle Schwarber hits one HIGH off the foul pole! pic.twitter.com/K4txrx8rpJ
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 7, 2024
September 3, 2024 vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Hello, and good evening.#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/hbwHnGIss4
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 3, 2024
September 4, 2024 vs. Toronto Blue Jays
This is getting ridiculous#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/thp089TvUI
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 4, 2024
September 10, 2024 vs. Tampa Bay Rays
A SCHWARBOMB FOR THE RECORD BOOKS#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/Pm2OTDPOOe
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 10, 2024
September 21, 2024 vs. New York Mets
Off to a good start! #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/3onI02qda9
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 21, 2024
October 5, 2024 vs. New York Mets
KYLE SCHWARBER LEADOFF BOMB! pic.twitter.com/St7EnUfp9G
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 5, 2024
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