Kyle Schwarber of the Washington Nationals is red-hot at the plate, especially in the power department.
He already has 25 home runs on the season, which is not bad for a guy who was non-tendered just a few months ago.
In his last 15 games, Schwarber has 19 hits, and 12 of them are home runs.
He is batting .317/.382/ .917 over that stretch and is carrying the Nationals.
He did say, however, that he has no interest in taking part in the 2021 Home Run Derby, which will take place at Coors Field on July 12.
To be clear, he said he would probably decline if asked to participate in the event.
Kyle Schwarber says he probably would decline if asked to participate in home run derby. “It’s definitely taxing on the body.”
— Gene Wang (@gene_wang) June 30, 2021
Schwarber is right to decline if that’s what he wants, and here is why.
Rest The Body And The Mind
It may not seem like it, but the Home Run Derby is an extremely demanding activity.
Batters need to go and make all-out swings for several minutes.
Schwarber himself confirmed it, and several other sluggers have said it in the past as well.
Some players feel no need to go through all that when they could very well be resting for the second half.
Playing 162 games a year after playing only 60 is a demanding task for major leaguers, so they should, by all means, take all the rest days they have available.
Their teams are counting on them to be fully recharged by the time the second half starts, so they will surely encourage the rest.
The Nationals are likely thrilled that Schwarber wants no part of the Home Run Derby.
There Is No Need To Mess Up With His Swing
Some players have said in the past that the Home Run Derby can alter their swings.
Something like that happened to Bobby Abreu in 2005.
He had a huge first half, bopped 41 home runs in the Derby, and struggled in the second half.
Whether that’s true for him or any player remains unclear, but the Derby does require players to add some lift.
If Schwarber wants to be cautious and not mess with his swing in a very well-publicized batting practice, it’s his right and there should be no problems about it.
The Derby will have more than enough sluggers and power threats to make the home runs rain, including local star Trevor Story, Trey Mancini, Pete Alonso, and Shohei Ohtani.
And while fans would have loved to watch Schwarber, there is no shortage of power at the event.
He Is Already Playing His Own Home Run Derby
The other reason why it’s fine Schwarber doesn’t want to participate in the Derby is, well, he is kind of having one of his own.
With 25 homers on the season, six in his last seven games, and 12 in his last 15 games, games in which he doesn’t leave the yard are now quite rare.
Oops! … Kyle Schwarber did it again.
His 12th home run in his last 10 games.#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/qAblkXo6fC
— Inside Edge (@IE_MLB) June 29, 2021
No one is expecting this to become a trend for the whole season, but it sure has been fun to see.
Schwarber doesn’t need to show off his legendary power in a low-stress event when he is doing it game after game when it truly matters.
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its a game. anyone who doesnt play is lame