Phillies: Cause for concern with Rhys Hoskins in the Home Run Derby?
Does the risk outweigh the reward for the Phillies slugger?
The Phillies announced Wednesday evening that outfielder Rhys Hoskins would participate in the Home Run Derby. He’s the first Phillie to participate in the derby since Ryan Howard in 2009.
However, some are not thrilled Hoskins is in the event, not just because he has just 14 home runs this year, but because of a stigma that surrounds the event.
Many, including myself to an extent, believe the Home Run Derby can have a negative effect on a player in the short term when it comes to their swing. Players will make adjustments to their swing to launch the ball instead of driving it, leading to an issue when regular play resumes.
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Aaron Judge was a prime example of the Home Run Derby epidemic last year after hitting .329 with 30 home runs in the first half and just .228 with 22 home runs in the second half.
From the first game after the All-Star break to August 31, Judge hit .179 with seven home runs. He erupted the final 27 games with 15 home runs and a .311 batting average for New York.
Cody Bellinger, who was knocked out of the semifinals last year, hit 11 fewer home runs in eight fewer games during the second half of the season.
However, Gary Sanchez hit seven more home runs while playing eight more games in the second half compared to the first.
SABR.com analyzed the Home Run Derby curse, and found that there was no consistent evidence to back up such a thing. Their research did find players who participated in the derby hit 0.389% fewer home runs in the second half compared to a 0.16% increase in home runs for players who did not participate.
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It may ultimately come down to the player and whether they make an approach or change so drastic it carries over to the regular season. Hoskins carries himself well at the plate, and I’m not as concerned in him participating than I once was.