Phillies Slugger Potential Target for Rockies
The Philadelphia Phillies know there is a chance they could lose first baseman Rhys Hoskins to free agency after not extending him a qualifying offer, one they extended to another free agent, pitcher Aaron Nola.
But, if the Phillies can’t retain Hoskins, where could he end up? Who would be interested in the services of a player that wasn’t able to play in 2023 due to a torn ACL?
Sports Illustrated ranked its Top 50 free agents in baseball and predicted where each free agent would end up. In their rankings and predictions, Hoskins didn’t end up back in Philadelphia.
He ended up with the Colorado Rockies.
SI’s analysis showed they’re not worried about the torn ACL, something that Hoskins rehabbed to the point where he might have been able to play in the World Series, had the Phillies beaten the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL Championship Series:
… his prototypical slugging profile will ensure he has plenty of suitors this offseason. He’s averaged more than 30 homers over his last four full seasons, and he also possesses an elite batter’s eye, as he’s never posted a walk rate below 10%.
Hoskins is a career .242 hitter who consistently hits anywhere from 20 to 30 home runs per season and is able to draw walks effectively, as noted. But, in his absence, the Phillies found a new first baseman — Bryce Harper.
Harper took to the position out of necessity as he continued his recovery from Tommy John surgery. But he proved an effective fielder and playing that position may be better for his long-term health.
So, the Phillies may have to weigh Harper’s future against that of Hoskins.
If the Phillies let Hoskins walk, they would be saying goodbye to their fifth-round pick from 2014, the same year they drafted Nola. Hoskins has played six years in the Majors and has 148 career home runs.
