Windshield-smasher Schwarber still a catcher

Cubs slugger working behind the plate and in outfield during camp

February 19th, 2016

MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber did not hit on Field 1 on Friday, so cars parked behind the right-field fence on Clark Street were safe.
On Wednesday, Schwarber launched a batting-practice home run over the screen in right and it smashed a windshield. Fans should note he wasn't hidden on another field to avoid any more accidents.
Schwarber homer cracks fan's windshield
"Don't park your car out there, I guess," Schwarber said of his advice to Cubs fans. "What do you do? What do you say? It's a home run and it happened to hit the car. Sorry."

Peter Gesler posted the photo of his damaged car on his Instagram account, and Schwarber had a playful exchange on Twitter about it. However, the young Cubs slugger is more focused on finding a spot on the team. On Friday, he worked with the catchers.
"This morning I was a catcher," Schwarber said. "I'm still a catcher."

Where Schwarber will play this season is still to be determined. The plan this spring is to have him work at both catcher and in the outfield.
"I'm trying to get better at two positions," Schwarber said. "Anything can happen, just like last year, anything happened -- [Miguel Montero] got hurt and I got called up to come catch. If anything happens like that, I have to be ready. I'm still going to prepare like I'm a catcher and still try to get better in the outfield."
It will be tough. Catchers do lots of early work.
"I want to embrace the challenge," Schwarber said. "It's going to be fun for me. Versatility is such a big thing in this game. You see Ben Zobrist, and that's how he made his name in the game. ... [Chris] Coghlan, he played second base last year when he's normally an outfielder. Javy [Baez] is working on the outfield. Whatever you can do to make yourself more versatile, it's only going to be a positive."