Middletown native in Home Run Derby
Middletown High graduate has hit 17 home runs for Cubs this season.
Kyle Schwarber, who leads the Chicago Cubs in home runs, will compete in this year’s All Star Home Run Derby next week.
Middletown’s Kyle Schwarber, who MIDDLETOWN — leads the Chicago Cubs in home runs, will compete in this year’s All-Star Home Run Derby next week, this news agency has learned.
Schwarber, 25, a Middletown High School graduate who played at Indiana University, has 17 homers for the Cubs. He also has 39 RBIs and is hitting .249.
The Home Run Derby will be held Monday night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
This will be Schwarber’s first Home Run Derby. He was drafted No. 4 overall by the Cubs in the 2014 MLB draft.
The past two Home Run Derby champions, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees, have already said they would not compete.
Schwarber will be joined by Cubs second baseman Javier Baez.
“It’s going to be fun, especially with Javy in there, too,” Schwarber told the Chicago media Tuesday night. “I know what kind of (batting practice) that guy takes.”
Schwarber plans to “soak up the moment.”
“It’s on the bucket list,” Schwarber said. “It’s one of those things you grow up watching (Ken) Griffey and (Mark) McGwire. Now that I can do it, it’s a thing you want to do at least once.”
Since joining the Cubs, Schwarber has remained active in the Middletown community. Schwarber, the son of a former police chief, has participated in the police department’s Halloween festivities, was guest speaker at the Middletown Community Foundation annual banquet, provided a video message to students with special needs who attended “One Special Night” this year at Berachah Church and visited the Middletown Police Honor Guard.
Contact this reporter at 513-483-5216 or email Rick. McCrabb@coxinc.com.