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Kyle Schwarber reveals approach behind 2025 offensive explosion
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- Kyle Schwarber reveals approach behind 2025 offensive explosion
The post Kyle Schwarber reveals approach behind 2025 offensive explosion appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Lefty slugger Kyle Schwarber had an MVP-caliber season, powering the Philadelphia Phillies to the second-best record in baseball and the No. 2 seed in the National League. Schwarber led the NL with 56 home runs and topped the majors with 132 RBI.
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The 11th-year veteran crushed left-handed pitching during his career year. Schwarber belted 23 homers off lefties in 2025 after hitting just 55 bombs off left-handers in the previous 10 seasons combined. Schwarber had a better OPS+ against lefties than righties in 2025, a trend that actually started in 2024.
The Phillies' DH was asked about the approach that led to a career-high slugging percentage against left-handed pitching in 2025. "There are mechanical things that you have to do but there's also a mindset as well," Schwarber said, per MLB Network.
Kyle Schwarber hits free agency after career year
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
"I think that the mechanical and the approach and the different drills… to work on facing a same-sided guy, there is a lot of work that has to be put into that. But also just the mindset of taking an at-bat and not viewing it as, 'I'm facing a left-hander pitcher.' … Just being able to be present, take your at-bat in that moment… [and] trusting that your work that you've done to prepare up to that game is going to translate when you're going out there and competing," he added.
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Schwarber's approach worked. He had a career-best .598 slugging percentage against lefties in 2025. He also finished with a .964 OPS and 170 OPS+ versus left-handed pitching, compared to .904 and 147 marks against righties.
The Phillies benefited from the 32-year-old slugger's power surge. Philadelphia reached the NLDS for the second straight season. However, the team fell short of expectations, losing the best-of-five series 3-1 in back-to-back years.
Now the Phillies face the potential fallout following another early playoff exit. The team could experience sweeping changes over the offseason. And Schwarber, who showed out in a contract year, could leave in free agency.
Schwarber is one of the top free agents available for 2026. The three-time All-Star will have no shortage of suitors this winter, as teams dream of adding his bat to the heart of their order.
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The Phillies might decide to go in a different direction next season. However, it will be difficult for the team to replace the hole Schwarber would leave in the lineup.
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