Philadelphia Phillies Star Having Massive Impact Despite Injury

The Philadelphia Phillies can use all the help that can get, even from their injured superstars.

Kade Kistner | May 29, 2023

Philadelphia Phillies Star Having Massive Impact Despite Injury /

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Philadelphia Phillies

When Rhys Hoskins suffered a torn ACL, his season was lost.

It didn’t mean that the Philadelphia Phillies’ season was lost, too.

There has been enough of a sample size in 2023 to recognize this fact: the Phillies desperately miss Hoskins.

Not just his statistics. But his leadership.

Obviously, the Phillies could sure use 30 home runs and 80 RBI. Hoskins also draws walks and sees plenty of pitches. The hitters behind him tend to get better pitches because of Hoskins’ presence.

It’s hard to exactly state how Hoskins’ absence has impacted the club.

Watch the Phillies every day and this missing piece is needed.

In every way.

The Phillies have no choice but to continue to play without their coveted first baseman.

Isn’t it ironic how much Hoskins is missed after a large portion of the fans complained about his defense and strikeouts?

Those fans are now seeing Hoskins’ value.

Bryce Harper missed a chunk of games before returning from Tommy John surgery. Darick Hall is sidelined. Kyle Schwarber homered on Sunday but has struggled mightily at the plate this season.

Hoskins would have been a major contributor if healthy.

“The walks. The home runs. The pitch selection. The working counts. It’s another grinder at-bat that’s not there anymore,” manager Rob Thomson said recently. “And the voice in the clubhouse. The leadership. He’s a big part.”

When Hoskins crumpled to the ground on March 23 in spring training, the fear was a lost season. That happened.

The future is murky.

Will Hoskins ultimately re-sign with the Phillies after this injury?

Much of that depends of money. It usually does.

This much we know: Hoskins is needed in Philadelphia. Just watch the games. That's all the proof anyone needs.

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Published May 29, 2023

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.