Watch CBS News

Levine: Eyeing Consistency, Kyle Schwarber's A 'Sponge' In Cubs' Spring Training

By Bruce Levine--

MESA, Ariz. (CBS) -- Will a full major league season be as seamless a transition for second-year Cubs outfielder/catcher Kyle Schwarber as his shorter rookie campaign turned out to be?

Using a 2015 season in which he had 16 homers and 43 RBIs in 69 games as a reference point, projecting Schwarber for 30 homers and 90 to 100 RBIs is reasonable for 2016 -- but of course, projections are just educated guesses that often don't take into account the human element.

For his part, Schwarber's approaching this season with a perspective of open-minded enthusiastic joy.

"Exciting is the way I would describe my days here," Schwarber said as the Cubs prepared to start their Cactus League season Thursday. "Learning and absorbing information is what my job is this spring. I am lucky to have my teammates from last season and new people to learn from and share ideas with."

Innovative manager Joe Maddon might have Schwarber lead off in some games during the regular season, as Schwarber's doing Thursday in the Cubs' spring opener.

"It's the same approach if I am hitting first or fifth," Schwarber said. "You only really lead off once per game. If I get on first base, my view of the situation will be to advance, get a good secondary lead and steal a bag if that is available to me. I am happy to bat anywhere Joe puts me."

Schwarber's trying to hone his skills at two different positions this spring. He came up as a catcher but mostly played left field for the Cubs in 2015. Scwharber will now have a chance to catch about once a week, while he will play in left field the majority of the time.

One of Schwarber's goals to be have a consistent season, and he's culling intelligence from teammates while sharing his own. Schwarber crashed onto the scene in 2015 with a strong performance in June and July, only to hit .221 in August and .206 in September. He then had a huge postseason, hitting five homers in nine games.

"I have Ben Zobrist in my ear," Schwarber said. "He really keeps my mind going, asking me questions as well as answering mine. During BP he will ask things like, how do you prepare yourself? And similar ideas to keep me sharp. I will ask him questions the same way back."

The batting cage is a classroom for Schwarber and his younger teammates, as they take in all the information from the likes of Jason Heyward, Anthony Rizzo and Zobrist.

"There is a lot of great baseball talk," Schwarber said. "This is a fun group to be around, and all the at-bats at the cage are all broken down in my mind."

The information highway may get crowded for the intense Schwarber, but he never appears to get bogged down during his long Arizona  days.

"I am a total sponge here," Schwarber said. "Getting more knowledge is my total goal. I am either playing or learning my trade at all times out there. I have to learn game management when I am catching and (it's) a different job altogether in the outfield. You want to learn and one day be that guy for my future teammates to learn from."

The 22-year-old Schwarber shows a maturity beyond his half-season in the big leagues.

"This group of guys are not only talented but great people to be around," Schwarber said. "It turns into a job if the game isn't fun. At the same time, you better have a good work ethic. I am not going to be an unknown hitter in the league this year. I must be ready to make adjustments as they come my way."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.