Chicago Cubs

Major League Baseball and '90s sitcoms go together like peanut butter and jelly, or something like that.

For almost four years now, there has been absolutely no shortage of hype.

Ever since Theo Epstein agreed to turn around the Chicago Cubs to the tune of $18.5 million for five years, the North Side faithful—and beyond—have salivated for the season when the new president of baseball operations would make good. In Epstein's fourth season running the show, the hype is now developing into substance.

The Chicago Cubs completed a critical four-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants on Sunday afternoon, but baseball took a backseat in the game's aftermath. 

A number of current and future baseball stars have erupted with massive performances during the first half of the 2015 MLB season.

Emotions were running high at Wrigley Field on Thursday when home plate umpire Andy Fletcher lost his cool, charging the mound to exchange words with Jon Lester.

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant reached 10 home runs and 42 RBI for the season with a big night against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, becoming the first player in franchise history to record 10 or more homers and 40 or more RBI before the All-Star break in his debut season, per MLB Stat of the Day.

Behold a question that I doubt anybody expected to be asked at any point in the 2015 season:

Is Kris Bryant finally going to start hitting for power now?

An unexpected question, indeed. But before we get to answering it, let's get to what's prompting it.

The following is not a recording: The Chicago Cubs are calling up an elite hitting prospect.

That's been a hobby of theirs in 2015, as they tabbed Kris Bryant in late April and Addison Russell shortly after him. Now they're calling on Kyle Schwarber. And once he arrives, the Cubs will be offering a glimpse of something both wondrous and powerful: their future lineup.

But first things first.

Rafael Soriano, the well-traveled relief pitcher who has spent the last two years with the Washington Nationals, has reportedly found his home for 2015. 

Soriano agreed to terms on a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs, the team announced Tuesday:

With Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler and Addison Russell already in their lineup, seemingly the last thing the Chicago Cubs need is another talented young hitter. 

And yet there's Kyle Schwarber. He's knocking on the door to the majors, and his knocks are only getting louder.