NL home-run leader Kyle Schwarber: Facts, figures and fun

Kyle Schwarber entered the weekend leading the National League in home runs thanks to a run of nine bombs in the last 14 games. A long shot coming into the season, Schwarber is just three homers behind Aaron Judge for the major-league lead. He also has nine games to break Mike Schmidt’s record for most homers before the All-Star break, a mark that is 43 years old.

All statistics are through Thursday’s games.

Most home runs by a Phillies player before the All-Star break:

Mike Schmidt, 31, 1979, finished with 45

Ryan Howard, 28, 2006, finished with 58 (led majors)

Ryan Howard, 28, 2008, finished with 48 (led majors)

Kyle Schwarber, 27, 2022, on pace for 53

Jim Thome, 28, 2004, finished with 42

Note: Howard’s 58 in 2006 is a Phillies record for a single season. … Howard’s 2008 season ended with a championship, the only season on this list in which the Phillies made the playoffs. … Barry Bonds (39 in 2001) holds the mark for most homers by any player before the All-Star break. Reggie Jackson (1969), Mark McGwire (1998), and Chris Davis (2013) are tied for second with 37.

» READ MORE: The legend of Kyle Schwarber’s home run power, from high school and college to the Phillies

1. Aaron Judge, NYY, 30 — Best player on best team in baseball

2. Kyle Schwarber, Phillies, 27 — NL player of the month in June

3. Yordan Alvarez, Hou., 26 — Acquired from LAD for forgotten pitcher Josh Fields

4. Mike Trout, LAA, 23 — Looks like another lost year for Angels (38-46)

t5. Pete Alonso, NYM, 22 — Only Paul Goldschmidt has better odds for NL MVP

t5. Byron Buxton, Min., 22 — Headed for first All-Star appearance

t5. Anthony Rizzo, NYY, 22 — Must be nice hitting between Judge and Stanton

t8. Austin Riley, Atl., 21 — Hitting .516 (16-for-31) in his last eight with 3 HR

t8. Giancarlo Stanton, NYY, 21 — Three Yanks on this list

t8. Christian Walker, Ari., 21 — Kennedy-Kenrick alum’s career high is 29 HR

Many sluggers strike out frequently, but Schwarber’s 104 whiffs are excessive. It’s also third-highest total in baseball. Here are the top 10 home run leaders and how often they’ve been fanned:

Judge 87, Schwarber 104, Alvarez 53, Trout 92, Alonso 68, Buxton 75, Rizzo 58, Riley 93, Stanton 75, Walker 64.

Note: Eugenio Suarez of Seattle (112) and the Cubs’ Patrick Wisdom (109) are the only two players who’ve struck out more than Schwarber.

Last seven days: 4 in 6 games

Last 14 days: 7 in 12 games

Since June 1: 16 in 33 games

Off RHP: 20 in 190 at-bats (1 every 9.5 ABs)

Off LHP: 7 in 109 at-bats (1 every 15.6 ABs)

Since Bryce Harper’s injury: 7 HR in 10 games

Phils’ record when he homers: 14-8 (multiple HRs in 5 games)

Phils’ record when he doesn’t: 30-31 (includes 1 DNP)

At home: 13 in 160 at-bats (1 every 12.3 ABs)

On road: 14 in 139 at-bats (1 every 9.9 ABs)

» READ MORE: Bryce Harper expects trade-deadline help. It’s up to his Phillies teammates to make it happen.

1. Schwarber is hitting .282 in the 10 games that Bryce Harper has missed since fracturing his left thumb on June 25. Before Harper’s injury, Schwarber was hitting .215.

2. He was the fourth overall pick by the Cubs in the 2014 draft, three spots ahead of when the Phillies took Aaron Nola. The top pick that year, San Diego high school pitcher Brady Aiken, never made it to the majors.

3. Schwarber’s 27 homers in his first 80 games with the Phillies broke Raul Ibañez’s record for that span. In their first 80 games as Phillies, Rhys Hoskins had 22, Bryce Harper 13 and J.T. Realmuto 10.

4. The slugger has lent his name to philanthropic endeavors benefiting first responders. Schwarber’s father, Greg, was the police chief in his hometown of Middletown, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati, with a population of 50,000.

5. Kyle played baseball and football at Middletown High School, and also was a member of the school’s choir. There’s a 2-minute video on YouTube of a performance when he was a senior that’s actually very good. Check it out. He’s the burly chap on the far right.