Cubs to call up top hitting prospect Schwarber
22-year-old will DH for Chicago's Interleague games at Cleveland, Minnesota
CHICAGO -- Kyle Schwarber, the Cubs' top pick in the 2014 Draft, will be promoted to the big league team for six days to be the designated hitter in Interleague games at Cleveland and at Minnesota.
The young catcher, who was the fourth player taken overall in the Draft, will report to the Cubs on Tuesday in Chicago. President of baseball operations Theo Epstein announced the move after Schwarber's game with Double-A Tennessee on Monday night.
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"Kyle has had a tremendous developmental year so far behind the plate, with the bat, and as a leader," Epstein said. "His next stop is to continue his development as a catcher at Triple-A. First, however, he is going to join the Major League team for six days to contribute as a designated hitter, as a bat off the bench, and as a third catcher."
Schwarber commented on the call-up on his Twitter account: "Grateful for this opportunity that I'm going to get! Very excited to compete and learn! #Cubs"
Epstein said this brief stint in the big leagues should benefit Schwarber, 22, the organization's No. 2 overall prospect according to MLB.com.
"He will also use the time in the big leagues to experience first-hand all that goes into being a Major League catcher," Epstein said. "Regardless of how this week goes, Kyle will head to Triple-A after Sunday's game."
The Cubs play two games against the Indians, starting Wednesday, and then have a three-game series against the Twins.
One of Schwarber's teammates with Tennessee, Daniel Vogelbach, tweeted congratulations to Schwarber.
Schwarber went 2-for-5 on Monday with three RBIs, and was batting .320 at Tennessee. He has hit 13 home runs, 10 doubles and one triple with 39 RBIs. In the Cubs' two games in Detroit, Miguel Montero and Mike Baxter were the designated hitters.