Kyle Schwarber Makes MLB History With 13th Leadoff Home Run of Season

His record-tying leadoff homer underscores shift in MLB strategy, as power becomes key for leadoff batters.
Kyle Schwarber Makes MLB History With 13th Leadoff Home Run of Season
Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates his third home run of the game in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Sept. 3, 2024. Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
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The major leagues have been around for 154 years, and for roughly 140 of those years, the leadoff hitter was defined as someone with great contact ability to get on base and with the speed to steal bases then. However, in recent years, a new type of leadoff hitter has developed. Having good on-base skills is still paramount to the new-age leadoff men, but the power element has been something new added to the position, and Kyle Schwarber is a perfect example of the modern leadoff batter.

The slugger has just 27 stolen bases across his decade in the Big Leagues, but he also has both the patience to draw walks and get on base, as well as the home run ability to knock himself in. He did just that in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 4-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday as Schwarber led off the game with a 416-foot home run. It was his team-leading 32nd long ball of the year, but more notably, it was his 13th leadoff homer of the season. That made history as it ties Alfonso Soriano’s (2003) all-time mark for the most leadoff home runs in a single season.
Ross Kelly
Ross Kelly
Author
Ross Kelly is a sports journalist who has been published by ESPN, CBS and USA Today. He has also done statistical research for Stats Inc. and Synergy Sports Technology. A graduate of LSU, Ross resides in Houston.