July 18--The decision to promote Kyle Schwarber was convincing throughout the Chicago Cubs' organization despite his lack of professional experience.
"Primarily everyone thought he was ready to do this," Maddon said Friday night before Schwarber, 22, the Cubs' first pick in the 2014 draft, started at catcher for the first time. "I'm just following everyone else's lead.
"The guys down below (in the minors) feel he's ready to do this."
They were talking about catching -- not just hitting or playing the outfield.
Schwarber didn't play the outfield at Double-A Tennessee or Triple-A Iowa, and Schwarber was told by President Theo Epstein that "it's all catching."
The left-handed hitting Schwarber said if asked to play the outfield, "I'd feel I'd have to get used to it again. It would be a transition, but if it comes to that, it comes that. I'll be ready for it."
Perhaps the biggest adjustment for Schwarber would be calling a game. When Maddon was asked about his comfort level with Schwarber's pitch calling, Maddon said Schwarber "might be a little bit of Tom Matte."
Maddon was referring to Matte, a running back who took over at quarterback for the Baltimore Colts during the 1965 season with the aid of plays scripted on his wristband after Johnny Unitas and Gary Cuozzo went down with injuries.
Schwarber isn't expected to catch the next two games with Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta in the mound but will continue to work with coach Mike Borzello on all facets of his defense.
Schwarber said he was informed of his promotion Tuesday while returning to Des Moines after the Futures Game. Schwarber spent the night gathering his belongings and drove to Chicago the following day.
