Grote's Cubs Observations: Kyle Schwarber Keeps It Simple In Big League Cameo

By Mark Grote--

(CBS) The June tour for Kyle Schwarber has come to a close, leaving some fans to line up on Twitter to wish that the Cubs could add some extra dates this summer in more American League venues. Schwarber went 8-for-22 with a homer and six RBIs during his six-game call-up with the Cubs, most of which was spent as designated hitter.

A big league reunion later this season hasn't been ruled out for the 22-year-old slugger, but Cubs manager Joe Maddon believes that Schwarber still has some tests to pass before he would be allowed to put a on a glove on a regular basis.

"He needs to complete is undergrad degree in catching in the minors and hopefully get some work in the outfield too," Maddon said. "It's a nice start, and we're talking about offense right now, and it's good. But you have to play a complete game, and his development has not been completed yet."

During his six-game sampling of the big leagues, Schwarber was the guy in the clubhouse with his palms covering his ears.

"I always just try and keep my head buried," Schwarber said. "I don't like to think about that stuff, because that can mess with me when I'm at the plate in the minors, and I'm thinking, 'Oh, when am I going to get a call-up'? That can really put you in a slump. You always want to have good mojo."

Schwarber reported to Triple-A Iowa immediately after the conclusion of the Minnesota series on Sunday.

Russell flashes his range

Addison Russell's range at second base has been astounding at times. In fact, Cubs radio play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes said during a recent broadcast on WBBM Newsradio 780 that Russell has "some of the best range" he has ever seen out of a second basemen. That's saying a lot, considering that Hughes is in his 33rd year of calling MLB games.

Perhaps equally impressive is Russell's ability to gather himself and make a throw after a diving stop.

"Your pop-up time is your pop-up time," Russell said. "You can't really practice that. I just try to get to my feet as fast as possible in order to make a good strong throw."

Ross comes up big defensively

When Cubs catcher David Ross attempts to pick a man off a base, it's not as courtesy call.

Earlier this season in Washington D.C., Ross picked off Clint Robinson at first base to end the game and clinch a 2-1 win over the Nationals. During Chicago's win in Minnesota on Saturday, Ross picked off Eddie Rosario at first base in the eighth inning to preserve a 1-1 tie.

Left-hander Jon Lester is appreciative of Ross' work.

"It's huge," Lester said in reference to his personal catcher. "It's a free out without having to make a pitch."

What's more, it keeps Lester from having to make a throw to first, a maneuver with which Lester isn't comfortable.

Lester defends Tabata

It might surprise you to know that Lester didn't have a problem with the way Washington pitcher Max Scherzer's perfect game bid was broken up Saturday. With two outs in the ninth inning, Scherzer hit Jose Tabata with a pitch on the elbow. Many have argued that Tabata leaned into the pitch in order to get hit intentionally.

"They're (Pittsburgh) trying to win a ball game," Lester said. "It sucks a little bit for Scherzer and the Nationals, but I don't think there's anything wrong with that."

Scherzer did manage to secure the no-hitter.

Maddon wants mean streak in Wada

Now we all know that Cubs left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada is a badass.

It was after his slump-busting performance last Wednesday in Cleveland -- where Wada threw seven shutout innings -- that he proclaimed to the assembled media that he was indeed a "badass." As it turns out, it was Maddon who demanded that the Japanese-speaking Wada test run some English slang. It made for a good laugh, but that night was about getting Wada to attack and trust his fast ball.

"Wada is a very humble, nice, young man," Maddon said. "It is impossible to be nice as he is, and when he pitches he's a great guy. I want him to be less of a great guy when he pitches."

A badass. Got it.

Hughes has quip of the week

The quote of the week goes to Hughes in attempting to explain the Cubs' uncharacteristically sloppy loss to the Twins last Friday. In that setback, the Cubs were charged with two errors and committed multiple mental gaffes.

"Even Betty Crocker burns a biscuit once in a while," Hughes cracked.

Mark Grote is the Cubs pregame and postgame host on WBBM. Follow him on Twitter @markgrotesports.