A Blast From The Past: Rhys Hoskins

Rhys Hoskins was born in Sacramento, California. Hoskins was a super hard working kid who was also highly competitive. Hoskins at Jesuit High School was a multi-sport athlete. He played baseball, football, and basketball at very high levels although baseball ending up being his passion and best sport. Hoskins grew up a huge San Francisco Giants fan because of his Father's love for the team, and Hoskins was also a huge fan of Barry Bonds. Hoskins would eventually have a high school career batting average of .421 and would go to California State University also known as Sacramento State.

Hoskins would go on to have a very solid college career at Sacramento State, where he continued to develop his power hitting and become a more complete baseball player. During his junior season in 2014, Hoskins would have his best year in college, earning Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors. He would also earn first-team All-WAC honors and third-team All-American recognition. Hoskins would finish his college career with 25 home runs and 128 RBIs, showing that he had the ability to become a dangerous hitter at the next level.

Hoskins would then enter the 2014 MLB Draft, where he would get selected in the fifth round, 142nd overall, by the Philadelphia Phillies. Hoskins would begin his professional career in the minor leagues, where he continued to show off his power. In 2016, playing for the Reading Fightin Phils, Hoskins would hit 38 home runs and drive in 116 runs in 135 games. Those numbers were absolutely incredible and would help him gain attention as one of the Phillies' top prospects. Hoskins was proving that he could hit for power and drive in runs consistently, and it was only a matter of time before he got his opportunity in the major leagues.

That opportunity would finally come in August 2017, when Hoskins made his MLB debut with the Phillies. Hoskins would immediately make an impact, hitting his first two career home runs in the same game against the San Diego Padres. He would go on an incredible stretch, hitting 18 home runs in just 30 games. Hoskins would finish his rookie season with 18 home runs and 48 RBIs in only 50 games, giving Phillies fans a glimpse of what he could become. It was clear that the Phillies had found a hitter who could provide serious power in their lineup.

Hoskins would continue to build on that success in 2018, finishing with 34 home runs and 96 RBIs. He would become an important part of the Phillies' lineup and a player fans could look forward to watching. In 2019, Hoskins would hit 29 home runs and drive in 85 runs, continuing to show that he could be a reliable power hitter. Although the Phillies were still trying to build a team capable of competing for a championship, Hoskins was becoming one of the key pieces of their offense.

One of the biggest moments of Hoskins' career would come during the 2022 postseason. After years of trying to get the Phillies back to the top, the team finally made a deep playoff run. Hoskins would have some unforgettable moments during that run, including a huge home run against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series. His bat spike after the home run became one of the most memorable images of the entire postseason. Hoskins would also hit two home runs against the San Diego Padres in the National League Championship Series, helping the Phillies advance to the World Series for the first time since 2009. Unfortunately, the Phillies would eventually lose the World Series to the Houston Astros, but the run was still something special for the city of Philadelphia.

Unfortunately, Hoskins would suffer a torn ACL during spring training in 2023, causing him to miss the entire regular season. This was a tough setback for a player who had become such an important part of the Phillies' lineup. Even though he couldn't play, Hoskins remained involved with the team and continued to support his teammates throughout the season. The Phillies would make another postseason run, but Hoskins' absence was noticeable, especially considering the power he had provided in previous years.

After the 2023 season, Hoskins would leave Philadelphia and sign a two-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. This would mark the end of his time with the Phillies, where he had become a fan favorite and one of the most recognizable players on the team. In his first season with Milwaukee in 2024, Hoskins would hit 26 home runs and drive in 82 runs, showing that he could still provide power after his injury. He would spend another season with the Brewers in 2025 before moving on to the Cleveland Guardians in 2026.

Hoskins' career has been a journey filled with some incredible highs and some difficult setbacks. From being a multi-sport athlete in high school to becoming a fifth-round draft pick, he would eventually develop into a major league power hitter and an important part of a Phillies team that brought playoff excitement back to Philadelphia. He might not have won a World Series championship, but his contributions to the Phillies' 2022 run will always be remembered by fans. One thing you can't deny about Hoskins is that he has always had the ability to deliver big moments, and his time in Philadelphia will always hold a special place in the memories of Phillies fans.

Photo Credits: MLB