That Balls Outta Here
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Philadelphia Phillies 2017 mid-season top ten prospect list

By John Town

SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 13: Nick Williams #65 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the eight inning of the Spring Training Game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 13, 2017 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. Baltimore defeated Philadelphia 6-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 13: Nick Williams #65 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the eight inning of the Spring Training Game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 13, 2017 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. Baltimore defeated Philadelphia 6-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – JULY 09: Rhys Hoskins #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies and the U.S. Team tags out Josh Naylor #14 of the San Diego Padres and the World Team in the fifth inning during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

No. 5: 1B Rhys Hoskins

This is the fun part of writing these prospect lists. Rhys Hoskins‘ monster 2016 season (38 home runs, .943 OPS) is only continuing into this season. Through 93 games in Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Hoskins has 20 home runs and a .286/.381/.559 line. Hoskins has cooled off and in a bit of a slump this month, but as a whole his season has been very successful.

In each of the last three seasons Hoskins has done nothing but hit and continues to do so at the highest level of minor-league baseball. His patient, controlled approach is the complete opposite of his counterpart Dylan Cozens but still produces and is more sustainable.

Hoskins represented the Phillies at the MLB Futures Game this season and was the U.S. Team’s cleanup hitter and starting first baseman. He went 1-for-2 and was hit by a pitch but did leave one runner on base.

Hoskins has done everything he could in the minor-leagues and is deserving of a major-league audition. However, the team has Tommy Joseph manning first in the majors and doesn’t want to move him to the bench. There is speculation that Joseph could be on the move at the trade deadline, which would clear up a spot for Hoskins.

Regardless of what happens this year, Hoskins will have to be added to the 40-man this winter and will push for a major-league role in spring training. If he hits like he has been, the Phillies would be stupid not to put him in the majors.

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