Schwarber makes 2nd straight ASG, joins Harper as Phils' reps

ST. LOUIS -- It is no surprise that Kyle Schwarber powered his way onto the National League All-Star team.

Schwarber has been one of the best hitters in the Majors for more than a month. He learned Sunday morning that he will join Bryce Harper as the Phillies’ All-Star representatives. Surprisingly, there won’t be others, with the most notable omission being Phils ace Zack Wheeler.

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“It’s obviously something that you always want to be,” Schwarber said about making his second consecutive All-Star team. “It’s definitely an honor to be there and represent the Phillies. It sucks that Harp won’t be able to play. Hopefully, I can represent the Phillies pretty well.”

Harper said Friday that he will not attend next week’s festivities at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles because he is recovering from left thumb surgery. But Schwarber will be there because he leads the National League with 28 home runs.

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Schwarber might even compete in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby. He said he is 50-50 at this point.

Schwarber is batting .222 with 28 home runs, 57 RBIs and an .867 OPS. He struggled through May 29, batting just .181 with a .699 OPS. But from May 30 through Sunday, Schwarber is batting .269 with 18 homers, 35 RBIs and a 1.059 OPS.

He is a huge reason why the Phillies have moved into the third NL Wild Card. Players around the league noticed. Schwarber got his spot from player voting.

“I wish I didn’t get off to that slow start,” Schwarber said. “But I look at my coaching staff … all the guys around me. I don’t think I would be here without dudes around me, right? They’re pushing to get the best out of me, and I want to get the best out of them. This is something that goes around the whole room for everyone. I don’t like to take credit for something. These guys have been pushing me every single day.”

Schwarber expected to have some Phillies friends with him at Dodger Stadium, but Wheeler did not make the team. He could be added at some point as a replacement, but the fact that he did not make the team outright was puzzling.

“It would have been a privilege, but it is what it is,” Wheeler said. “I’ll spend time with my family.”

Wheeler is 8-4 with a 2.46 ERA, making him one of the league’s best pitchers in the first half.

He is second in the NL in FIP (2.45), fourth among pitchers in fWAR (3.1), fifth in ERA, fifth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.95) and seventh in strikeouts (104).

Wheeler entered the season behind schedule because of a heavy workload in 2021, plus he experienced right shoulder soreness in November. He essentially used his first three starts in April as an extension of Spring Training.

Wheeler had an 8.53 ERA through those starts, but he has a NL-best 1.53 ERA and 3.0 fWAR in 13 starts since April 28.

Aaron Nola (5-6, 3.15 ERA), Seranthony Domínguez (4-3, 1.91 ERA, three saves) and Rhys Hoskins (.252, 17 homers, 42 RBIs, .829 OPS) were other All-Star candidates. Nola has been one of the league’s best starters, while Domínguez has been one of the league’s best relievers. Hoskins’ play over the past month has helped power the Phillies’ offense without Harper and Jean Segura.

“I think that there’s a lot more All-Stars in this room that are very deserving of it,” Schwarber said. “It’s kind of a shame, but hopefully these guys can get in some way. These guys deserve it. Ser. You look at Wheels, Nola. Heck, Rhys is having a really good year, too.”