Phillies Assign Scott Kingery, Rhys Hoskins to Minor-League Camp

The Phillies re-assigned Scott Kingery, Rhys Hoskins, and others to minor-league camp after their time as non-roster invitees in the major-league camp.

The Phillies announced after their win over the Red Sox Sunday that minor-league second baseman Scott Kingery, first baseman Rhys Hoskins, outfielder Andrew Pullin, and catcher Chace Numata are all headed back to the team’s minor-league camp. All four were in camp as non-roster invitees, and they are the first four to be returned to the minor-league camp.

Kingery, who is expected to start the year in Double-A Reading, made waves with his impressive play during the first four weeks of spring training. He collected six hits in 21 at-bats, two of which were home runs. Kingery also made several stellar defensive plays, cementing himself as the above-average defender many expect him to be. Manager Pete Mackanin said Kingery could be on the “fast track” to the major-leagues.

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Despite the news that he was headed back to minor-league camp, Kingery maintained a positive view on the experience. He told Matt Breen of Philly.com:

"“Just being here in big-league camp was an honor,” said Kingery, who will turn 23 in April. “For me, being able to do some stuff and open some eyes, that gives me confidence. I still have stuff to improve on, but hopefully, sometime soon, I can be back up here.“Coming from college, I knew that I had a little bit of an advantage and could be a quick mover,” Kingery said. “But it’s still crazy to me that I’m already here after a year and a half of professional baseball. I still have some things to improve on, and hopefully, I can figure those out and start climbing.”"

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Hoskins also had a strong spring, hitting two home runs in ten games. He collected five hits and three RBI in that same span. Hoskins also showed his advanced plate discipline, walking six times.

Of Hoskins’s discipline, Mackanin told Gelb, “I was told he has a real good idea at the plate. And he sure looks like that. He has a nice, soft approach. He looks like he’s really under control. That’s good to see.” He will start the year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley after his 38-home run 2016 campaign in Double-A.

Neither Pullin nor Numata saw much playing time this spring as they were at crowded positions in camp. Pullin registered just five at-bats and Numata had two. Both are likely to start the year with Reading as well.

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As spring training progresses, expect to see more and more players heading back to the minor-league camp.