Cubs' top pick Schwarber homers in pro debut

Just eight days after the Cubs made him the fourth overall pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, catcher Kyle Schwarber hit his first professional home run to power short-season Boise to a 4-2 victory against Tri-City on Friday.

With the Hawks trailing, 2-1, in the seventh inning, Schwarber came to the plate with two on and two out. Facing right-hander Marc Magliaro, he got ahead in the count 3-0 before driving a towering fly ball out to right field.

Right-hander David Garner pitched two scoreless innings to secure the Opening Day victory for the Hawks.

Schwarber finished the night 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs. He started the game at catcher and made a throwing error in the first inning.

Schwarber began the year playing for Indiana University. He hit .358 with 14 home runs and a .659 slugging percentage and helped lead the Hoosiers to the Big Ten championship. He was the first position player selected and became the highest drafted player in school history when the Cubs took him last Thursday.