Cubs prospect Schwarber homers twice in Boise win

Kyle Schwarber, the fourth overall pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, homered twice Tuesday, leading short-season Boise to a 12-3 victory against Tri-City. And his effort earned him a promotion.

The Cubs announced Tuesday that Schwarber has been promoted to Class A Kane County, and he was expected to join the team on Wednesday.

Schwarber finished the game 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, two runs and two RBIs. Five games into his professional career, Schwarber is 12-for-20 with four home runs, seven runs and 10 RBIs.

"It sounds like he's doing well," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. "Hopefully it continues for him. ... Good for him. I'm sure he's very excited. It sounds like he's a kid who just wants to play ball."

The Cubs selected Schwarber out of Indiana University, where he hit .358 with 14 home runs and a .659 slugging percentage this spring. He was the first position player picked in this year's Draft and, after helping the Hoosiers win back-to-back Big Ten championships, he became the highest drafted player in school history.

Schwarber has begun his professional career with a five-game hitting streak and has collected three hits in three of his first five games with Boise.

Schwarber was primarily a catcher in college, but also occasionally played in the outfield, where some scouts thought he was best suited. He played left field Tuesday, his second game at the position so far. Schwarber has also caught twice as well as played a game as Boise's designated hitter.