Kyle Schwarber on Pace for 70 Home Runs in 2026

Because the Philadelphia Phillies have had a disappointing start to the 2026 season, it is easy to overlook what Kyle Schwarber is doing.

Schwarber, even in his early 30s, has taken his offensive game to a new level. In 2025 he hit a career-high 56 home runs. Through the first 46 games of 2026, he already has 20 home runs and is on pace for 70 over a full season.

Only two players in major league history have hit 70 or more home runs in a season: Barry Bonds with 73 and Mark McGwire with 70. Both were later linked to performance-enhancing drugs, and most of the names atop the single-season home run list come from that era.

Aaron Judge reached 20 home runs on June 3 in his 62-home-run season of 2022. Bonds reached the mark on May 19 in his record year. Schwarber got there on May 15, including a homer in a comeback win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

He has hit more home runs since May 7 than 22 teams. He also has more total bases in the first inning this season than the entire San Diego Padres offense.

Schwarber’s average launch angle of 23.6 degrees is the highest of his career. His barrel rate has risen from a career mark of 16.6 percent to 26.2 percent this year. Those numbers help explain the power surge.

His actual slugging percentage of .642 is 50 points above his expected mark of .592, and his home-run-to-fly-ball rate of 33.9 percent is up from 28.6 percent last season. Both figures suggest some good fortune in his results so far.

Still, the start is remarkable, and if the pace holds, the finish could be historic.