Schwarber, 25, a Middletown High School graduate who played at Indiana University, has 17 homers for the Cubs. He also has 39 RBI and is hitting .249.
The Derby will be held Monday night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
This will be Schwarber’s first Home Run Derby. He was drafted No. 4 overall by the Cubs in the 2014 MLB Draft.
RELATED: Schwarber gives Middletown a World Series champion
The past two Home Run Derby champions, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees, have already said they would not compete.
Schwarber will be joined by Cubs second baseman Javier Baez.
“It’s going to be fun, especially with Javy in there, too,” Schwarber told the Chicago media Tuesday night. “I know what kind of (batting practice) that guy takes.”
Schwarber plans to “soak up the moment.”
“It’s on the bucket list,” Schwarber said. “It’s one of those things you grow up watching (Ken) Griffey and (Mark) McGwire. Now that I can do it, it’s a thing you want to do at least once.”
About the Author