When the Washington Nationals signed Kyle Schwarber to a one-year contract in the off season, most fans were expecting to sacrifice some defense in left field for the sake of Schwarber’s powerful bat.
Seven weeks into the 2021 season, their concerns seem to be so far overblown. Schwarber has been charged with one error all season and has a Fangraphs’ defensive runs saved rating of +1 so far this season, despite a career figure of -7.
Schwarber saved a run in the fifth inning of Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Philadelphia with a throw to the plate to catch Philadelphia’s speedy Odubel Herrera trying to score from second base on a single.