Cubs still determining Schwarber's best fit defensively
As spring training for the Chicago Cubs creeps ever closer, the debate over where to play Kyle Schwarber has steadily increased.
Schwarber has experience at both left field and catcher during his rookie season, and while he could use refinement at both positions, he has the physical skillset to succeed at either.
"Everyone has a different opinion on where they think he should be, for whatever reason," Cubs catching coach Mike Borzello told MLB.com. "Selfishly, I think he's capable of being the leader of this team at some point. I think he has that kind of makeup. I think he has that kind of personality. He cares about the right things.”
While everyone seems to have an opinion on where Schwarber would be best suited on the field, Borzello believes his future is behind the plate with is leadership skills.
"I know I'm a catcher, but I feel this is the best position for the leader to be," Borzello said. "That's why I think him being behind the plate would be the best thing. But we'll see how it all plays out."
With pitchers and catchers set to report soon, Schwarber has been putting in extra work at the Cubs' spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz. Along with developing his catching abilities, Schwarber will still continue to put in work at the left field position as well.
"I think he'll be the catcher for the morning, where he'll do the drill work early and catch sides and interact with the pitchers, and for the rest of the day, he'll be in left field," Borzello said.
No matter where Schwarber plays everyday, the Cubs are certain his bat needs to remain in the lineup daily. In 69 games, Schwarber hit 16 home runs, hitting his stride in the postseason with a .333 batting average along with five home runs to carry the club to the NLCS.
"He's going to be a left fielder/catcher," Borzello said. "I still need him to continue to work as if he's going to be an everyday catcher, because when you sporadically play behind the plate, you kind of lose that rhythm unless you continue to work."
While building Schwarber's catching talents appears to be priority during spring training, the second-year player is up for 'whatever,' according to Borzello, as long as it helps the Cubs win.
