The Cubs claimed Frank Schwindel on waivers from the A’s in July 2021 and then installed him at first base after Anthony Rizzo (and others) were traded at that year’s deadline in the big selloff.
Schwindel went on to have a fantastic third of a season for the Cubs, batting 342/.389/.613 with 13 home runs in 56 games. It was enough for 1.8 bWAR (suggesting a 5 bWAR season in a full year) and sixth place in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
Largely due to a back injury that never seemed to heal, Schwindel’s numbers declined in 2022 and he hit just .