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Phillies 2019 season preview: First baseman Rhys Hoskins

By George Stockburger

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 13: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies heads to the locker room during the spring training game against the New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field on March 13, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 13: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies heads to the locker room during the spring training game against the New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field on March 13, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 09: Bryce Harper (3) of the Phillies is all smiles as he congratulates Rhys Hoskins (17) on his homerun during the spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 09, 2019 at the Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 09: Bryce Harper (3) of the Phillies is all smiles as he congratulates Rhys Hoskins (17) on his homerun during the spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 09, 2019 at the Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

What’s Rhys Hoskins’ role in 2019?

Rhys Hoskins will most likely hit fourth in the Phillies lineup between Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto. Having protection behind Hoskins will only lead to great things for the young slugger, who is coming off a 34 home run season.

Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies /

Philadelphia Phillies

Despite his defensive woes, Hoskins could have played all 162 games if not for a crazy jaw injury when his own foul ball ricocheted back into his face, causing a small fracture. Hoskins had struggled leading up to that injury and the time off seemed to have reset his mind and bat.

In the first 52 games of the season, Hoskins hit .233 with six home runs, averaging a dinger about every nine games.

After the jaw injury and a brief stint on the disabled list, Hoskins hit .251 with 28 home runs in 102 games, cutting his games per longball by two-thirds.

Going by his games per home run after his jaw injury, Hoskins would hit around 40 home runs.

That’s certainly an obtainable number considering his raw power, experience, and the protection in the lineup.

Moving back to first base will also help Hoskins in the long run, both physically and at the plate.

Hoskins looks to play the role of Ryan Howard in the Phillies next championship run, and while he might not hit 58 home runs, his raw talent can certainly power Philadelphia the same way the Big Piece did.

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