It's tough not rooting for a player fans can chant, “Frank the tank” in support of. Frank Schwindel currently owns an eight-game hit streak with multiple hits in each of his last four contests. He's also launched six home runs in his last eight games with two sets of home runs in three consecutive game streaks. He's racking up precious counting statistics for anyone who took the plunge adding him on the cusp of his hot streak. Discerning if this represents an in-season surge or a breakout remains the question. 

Over the last 30 days, he's played in 27 games with 21 runs, nine home runs, 27 RBI and a robust .382/.432/.735 slash line in 111 plate appearances. Realistically, he cannot maintain a .411 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) or the .353 isolated power. Yes, Age-29 breakouts happen, especially if never afforded the chance at sustained playing time in the majors, but his accomplishments should be weighed with this in mind. Sustainability and realistic expectations. 

Delving into this hot stretch, Schwindel's produced 82 batted ball events with eight barrels (9.8 percent) and 40 hard hits (exit velocity of 95 MPH or better), just under 50 percent of his results. Solid, not spectacular. Expanding his sample size gets tricky since he's only appeared in 41 games with Chicago since his promotion. 

Still, Schwindel's batting .343/.386/.650 through his first 153 plate appearances with the Cubs. He's scored 25 runs with 11 home runs and 25 home runs. It's encouraging seeing his 6.5 walk rate and 18.3 strikeout percentage in these contests and a .344 weighted on-base average (wOBA). Also, he owns a 12.4 swinging strike percentage with a 75.9 contact percentage and 90.7 Z-Contact (in the strike zone) percent. 

In the present hitting environment, any player providing insulation in terms of batting average becomes a player of interest. Placing a hot streak label on his 27 or even 41 game sample could be misleading, it's been carried through a month and half of data. In August, Schwindel recorded a seven game streak with an extra-base hit in each before his recent home run barrage. Like any heater, fantasy players should ride the wave while being prepared for jumping off if regression comes calling. 

Noting Statcast takes into account quality of contact when factoring expected statistics, Schwindel owns an expected batting average of .282 with an expected slugging of .494 and an expected weighted on-base average of .352, which really do not forecast a collapse. He's notched a sweet spot percentage of 33 percent and a 42.6 hard hit percentage for the season. Then noticing his 20 percent line drive rate with a 32.2 fly ball percentage, there's definitely some average decline in the offing, but how much determines his status for fantasy going forward. 

Here's his spray chart through his first 41 games: 

Pull side power helps boost immediate results but once the league adjusts, he may see fewer pitches he can yank over the wall in his preferred power alleys. However, an intriguing observation in the scouting community provides some insight on his success in the majors this year: 

Taking this a step further, his zone profile on Brooks Baseball backs this premise up. Focus on his slugging percentage in the top third of the strike zone: 

It's alway curious when a player appears out of seemingly nowhere for a team in a rebuild with strong results. Could Schwindel's referenced plate discipline combined with his success on elevated fastballs carry his breakout until the end of the season? It's debatable, but hitting second ensures he will see fastballs, how he produces determines his ceiling for 2021 and beyond. As our last reference point, here's his swing and take profile courtesy of Statcast with results in and out of the strike zone this year: 

Racking up a plus-22 rating in such a short window should not be ignored. He's a fascinating case worth tracking until the end of the season as a result. Last, but not least, his rest-of-the-season projections may portend how his final line this year may end up, or they may be too low: 

Those who took a shot on him during his first extra-base hit streak reaped the rewards. How well he finishes should be tracked closely and may determine if he gets a chance at regular playing time in 2022 for the Cubs. Ride the wave, and monitor his discipline metrics the rest of the season but the "Tank” could be a league winner if he maintains the power, even if he hits .275 the remainder of the season. 

Statistical Credits: 

Fangraphs.com

BrooksBaseball.net

BaseballSavant.com

THE BAT and THE BAT X courtesy of Derek Carty

Steamerprojections.com

ZiPS courtesy of Dan Szymborski