Washington Nationals slugger Kyle Schwarber has been on an historic home run tear, hitting 16 home runs in his last 18 games. Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, Schwarber crushed the first pitch he saw for his seventh leadoff home run in the same span.
He’s joined elite company with Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa through his series of home runs. He and Albert Belle are now the only two players to hit 12 home runs in 10 games. His impressive surge has many asking if Schwarber will enter the Home Run Derby during the All-Star break.
Following the Nationals 4-2 win, Schwarber was asked if he would be participating in this year’s Home Run Derby. While he has not been approached about participating, Schwarber replied he’d probably decline, per Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports.
Schwarber’s tear has him tied with San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr. for the NL lead with 25 home runs. He’s only behind Shohei Ohtani (28) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (26) for the MLB lead. But it’s looking like he won’t put his power on display for the national audience.
Schwarber has participated in a Derby in his career. In 2018, he was a finalist losing out to Bryce Harper during the Derby at Nationals Park. Harper was a member of the Nats and Schwarber was with the Chicago Cubs.
“I think it’s such a great experience and the people that are gonna be in it and especially in it for the first time, they’re gonna love it and it’s gonna be something that they’re never gonna forget,” Schwarber added, per Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington. “I just think that the best thing to do is probably let it pass and rest up and look forward to the second half.”
Who can blame him if he skips out. Every Nationals’ game in the month of June has seemed like a Home Run Derby with Schwarber.
