Kyle Schwarber earned a spot in the starting lineup for the U.S. Team at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. And the hometown kid walked away from the game with the Most Valuable Player award.
Kyle Schwarber was named the MVP of the All-Star Futures Game after going 1-for-3 at the plate with a two-run triple in the third inning that ended up being the winning hit in the U.S. Team’s 10-1 victory over the World Team.
Defensively, Kyle Schwarber threw out Ketel Marte at second base to end the first inning and completed the strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out double play with Nationals’ right hander Lucas Giolito. Schwarber was charged with a passed ball in the third inning that led to the World Team’s first run and short-lived 1-0 lead.
The U.S. Team tied and took the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Michael Conforto (Mets) singled to center with one out. After Bradley Zimmer (Indians) flied out to center, Tony Kemp (Astros) walked. J.P. Crawford (Phillies) singled in Conforto and tied the game at one.
Kyle Schwarber stepped in against lefty Jarlin Garcia (Marlins) and fell behind 0-2. Schwarber pulled the third pitch of the at bat into the right field corner. Kemp and Crawford scored and the U.S. Team never looked back.
Schwarber grounded out to first and grounded out to second base in his other two at bats.
After Schwarber threw out Marte to end the second inning, Cristopher Crawford tweeted, “Schwarber’s footwork is so much better than it was at Indiana. Cubs deserve a ton of credit.”
Kyle Schwarber’s first hits this season at Double-A, Triple-A, Major League and in the Futures Game have each been a triple.
Carl Edwards Jr. pitched two-thirds of an inning Sunday and was very, very good. Edwards Jr. was charged with two infield singles (weakly hit grounders to third base side) and he struck out a batter. Edwards Jr. sat in the 93-95 mph range with his fastball, topped out at 96. Edwards Jr. showed off his unbelievable breaking ball in the 77-80 mph range.
• Box Score from SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game