Phillies' Kyle Schwarber sets franchise record for strikeouts

On Wednesday against the Houston Astros, Kyle Schwarber closed out a successful first season with the Philadelphia Phillies. He earned his second-career All-Star nod and blasted a National League-high 46 home runs, helping lead the Phillies to their first postseason berth in 11 years. 

However, in the finale against the Astros, Schwarber set a rather dubious franchise record. 

In the top of the third inning, facing Astros' starter Framber Valdez, Schwarber struck out for the 200th time in 2022, setting the Phillies' record for most strikeouts in a season. 

Former Phillies' MVP first baseman Ryan Howard held the previous mark, striking out 199 times in 2007 and 2008. Howard still owns four of the top five worst strikeout seasons in Phillies' history, posting 190 strikeouts in 2014 and 186 in 2009. 

Schwarber's 200 K's place him 16th on the all-time single-season list. Former Arizona Diamondback Mark Reynolds holds the MLB record with 223 set in 2009. 

Despite setting the unflattering mark, Schwarber significantly impacted the Phillies lineup, batting leadoff. 

Over 154 regular-season games, Schwarber batted .219/.324/.506 with 46 home runs and 94 RBI. 

The 29-year-old hit more home runs than any other outfielder in Phillies' history, surpassing Hall of Famer Chuck Klein's 43 long-balls in a season set in 1929. 

Schwarber also joined Howard (3x) and two more Hall of Famers, Mike Schmidt and Jim Thome, as the only Phillies to hit 46 home runs or more in a single season.