TAMPA, Fla. -- After a down season that found him in the minors for a short stint, Chicago Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber promised himself 2018 would be different. It began with getting in shape. The Cincinnati native has spent the winter in Tampa doing just that. A slimmed-down Schwarber is giving us a peek at what his daily life has been since the Cubs lost in the NLCS.
His mornings begin in the gym and end with him swinging a bat. In between, his diet has morphed into the most healthy of his career. It's all in an attempt to help his team back to the postseason and show the baseball world that 2017 just wasn't the Kyle Schwarber that made him the No. 4 pick in the draft and 2016 World Series hero. He's on the comeback trail.
Field drills
Schwarber trains under the guidance of former pro football player Yo Murphy. This quick feet warm up drill was accomplished a lot slower in the past.
This drill ends with Schwarber tracking down a tennis ball.
More agility drills which end with Schwarber "tracking" a fly ball. This one was too deep.
His trainer, Yo Murphy, says the goal is to get more agile in all aspects of the game. These drills are for first step quickness.
In and out, back and forth, Schwarber and his trainers mimic outfield movements. Watch until the end for the web gem.
Hitting the batting cage ... and pitching?
Kyle Schwarber gets ready to do some bashing.
Every few swings the tee is moved to different areas around the plate. Schwarber said a simple goal is to shore up the holes his swing -- though it's not that simple to accomplish.
Schwarber's morning ends with a little long toss.
Schwarber's buddy is pitching to him, even calling out situations. First one was 'no one on, no one out.' Schwarber hit a bomb. "1-0," he said quietly.
This underhanded toss drill is simply to hit the ball where it's pitched. Schwarber said once in a while he'll pull an outside pitch but "I'd rather go where it's supposed to."
Schwarber claims he has a nasty sidearm, knuckle ball.
This is what Schwarber did to one ball today.
Kyle Schwarber discusses his offseason where he's lost 17-20 pounds but doesn't believe he's lost strength. He was asked if he's proud of what he's accomplished so far.