Phillies Season in Review: Rhys Hoskins

Inside the Phillies continues their season in review series with first baseman Rhys Hoskins.

© Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins is a player that has been subjected to a lot of scrutiny from the fanbase since he made his debut with the club in 2017.

But this Phillies team needs Hoskins, and 2021 proved that.

Hoskins started off the season on an average foot, batting .231/.273/.529 with eight homeruns, 14 RBI, 24 hits, and seven doubles through 26 games in April. 

But when Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Didi Gregorius all went down with injuries throughout the month of May, Hoskins picked up the slack in the Phillies lineup.

He turned it up a notch through the next 28 games, in which he slashed .302/.398/.448 with 29 hits, 17 RBI, three homers, and an OPS of .846. 

However, Hoskins, known to be a hot and cold player, disappeared in June. Following June 5, he began an abysmal 0-for-33 slump. 

He didn't break out of the slump until June 16 when he hit a solo homer at Dodger Stadium. Still, his month of June wasn't great by any means, hitting .135/.217/.365 with an OPS of just .582. 

This was Hoskins' lowest point during 2021, as his July and August numbers exceeded expectations. In 29 games, he bat .323/.439/.785 with an OPS of 1.224. He also hit 10 homeruns, 13 doubles, collected 27 RBI and 18 walks during this span.

He was one of the major catalysts in starting the Phillies eight-game win streak at the end of July through the beginning of August. 

That's the #1 Phillies boy.#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/bwlsh2VOOc

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 26, 2021

But Hoskins was eventually placed on the injured list with a left groin strain that he sustained during a game against the Washington Nationals on July 29. He was out for a few days after, returned on August 2 for the four-game series versus the Nationals, and then was again placed on the injured list.

He briefly came back on August 22 for the final game against the San Diego Padres and hit two homeruns. 

He played in the two-game series versus the Rays on August 24 and 25 and hit another homerun in the second game before once again being shutdown, this time for the season. It was later announced that he would be undergoing season-ending core surgery to repair the tear in his lower abdomen.

Hoskins' absence proved to be detrimental to the Phillies, and it became increasingly more evident just how important he is to the Phillies lineup.

For starters, Hoskins supports Harper in the lineup well, and acts as good protection. Hoskins' second-half was setting up to be pretty special before he got injured. In 20 games, he hit .311/.440/.770 with an OPS of 1.210. 

And while he wouldn't have reached MVP-levels like Harper, his bat was sorely missed by a Phillies lineup, who, excluding the right fielder, hit for a combined OPS of just .688 in the second half.

Additionally, Hoskins adds a sense of leadership and comradery to the Phillies that they were devoid of in their playoff push. Harper can't do it all. And Hoskins eases the workload on him while balancing out the rest of the lineup when he is consistently producing.

Hoskins has been discussed as being the possible designated hitter for the Phillies when it potentially arrives in the National League next season, as his defense at first has never been his strong suit. However, his defense isn't close to being the worst on the team, and it may be wise of the Phillies to keep him at first and look elsewhere to fulfill the DH role.

Hoskins is eligible for arbitration in the offseason, and Philadelphia should prioritize signing him to an attractive extension. He is the #1 Phillies boy, after all.

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

• Should the Phillies Move on From Aaron Nola?
• Phillies Season in Review: Didi Gregorius
• Ranger Danger: How Suárez Will Help the Phillies Reach New Heights in 2022

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