Phillies prepare for emotional reunion with Rhys Hoskins originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
For some, the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club Inc.’s visitation, which begins Monday, will be a midseason measure of sorts. After all, the first-place Brew Crew will appear with the best record of any team the Phillies have played this season.
For others, it will be a chance to say hello and goodbye to first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who spent 11 years with the organization, becoming a fan favorite along the way. It will be the first time he has played at Citizens Bank Park since he signed as a free agent with Milwaukee last winter and the first time he has played there since the 2022 World Series.
The beginning of the end of his time in Philadelphia came during 2023 spring training when he tore his ACL while throwing a routine low ball. This created a situation where it was beneficial to the team for Bryce Harper to move to first base. And when Harper and the team decided to make the move permanent — and with Kyle Schwarber installed at designated hitter — Hoskins became the odd man out.
Until Friday there was no guarantee that the reunion would actually happen. Hoskins missed 15 games with a hamstring strain. But he was activated and played against the White Sox that night, so now the stage is set.
“He should get a big ovation,” Rob Thomson said before Saturday night’s game. “And I’m sure he will. He’s such a nice guy. A big part of what we did in ’22. And even with him on the injured list for the year he was a leader at the club. And a leader in the community as well.”
The manager said the team was “on the edge” of activating Hoskins for the World Series had he not been defeated by the Diamondbacks in the NLCS, although he had not hit under game conditions all year and likely would have been limited to hitting if he had been added to the lineup.
“The goal was to make sure he didn’t get injured again because he was going into a contract year and we wanted to look after him,” Thomson said. Hoskins ended up signing a 2-year, $34 million contract with Milwaukee.
He became a prospect to watch after hitting 38 homers for Double-A Reading in 2016 and made his Major League debut on August 10 of the following year. In six years in the big leagues with the Phillies, he hit .242 with 148 home runs and an .844 OPS. Along with his wife Jayme, he was active in charity work, especially for muscular dystrophy.
His signature moment came in Game 3 of the 2022 NLDS, when he emerged from a deep slump with a three-run home run off Braves ace Spencer Strider that sparked a drive that led the Phillies to an easy victory.
“It really fired up our guys,” Thomson said.
AND SO ON: Rob Thomson said he would “absolutely” consider having Edmundo Sosa play in the outfield after Trea Turner (hamstring) comes off the IL. Since replacing Turner at shortstop on May 4, he was hitting .313 with a 1.014 OPS as of Saturday night. “If he keeps hitting like that, it will be difficult to take him out of the lineup,” he said, adding that he has yet to have any substantive conversations on the matter. . .The Phillies had a meeting after batting practice to discuss their travel plans to London. The itinerary is to leave after Wednesday’s 4pm game with the Brewers and arrive at the hotel around 10am on Thursday. “There’s a lot that goes into this,” Thomson said. “From Colorado-San Francisco (on the last trip) to here to London and back we are crossing about 18 different time zones.” . .The Phillies have claimed right-hander Freddy Tarnok off waivers from the Athletics. Tarnok was originally considered a top prospect in the Braves organization. “Great speed,” said the manager. “Then he’ll go to Triple-A (Lehigh Valley) and we’ll see what he’s got.” . . Cardinals RHP Lance Lynn (2-3, 3.45) will face RHP Taijuan Walker (3-2, 5.51) in the series finale on Sunday at 7:10 p.m.
