Phillies: Three players who need to rebound in 2020

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 31: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, March 31, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

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The Phillies are giving Rhys Hoskins the benefit of the doubt that he will rebound in 2020.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Miami Marlins during a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 29, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

There isn’t any bigger piece on the Phillies than Rhys Hoskins

While Rhys Hoskins may not be “The Big Piece” he’s arguably the largest cog on the Phillies roster and the key for their success not just in 2020, but for the next decade.

Fans thought they had their next Ryan Howard when Hoskins came up in 2017. He hit 18 home runs in 50 games, including eight in nine games, and set unthinkable records for both the team and for all of Major League Baseball.

Philadelphia Phillies /

Philadelphia Phillies

As a rookie Hoskins became the fastest big league player to hit his ninth, tenth, and eleventh career home runs, and tied he a Phillies record by hitting a home run in five consecutive games.

I don’t think anyone every expected Hoskins to hit for a high average, but under Gabe Kapler and his staff, Hoskins saw his batting average drop every season, hitting a combined .236 compared to .259 as a rookie.

Hoskins has a unique combination of tools as a hitter, primarily power and pitch selection. If he can refine those tools and fix his swing under Joe Girardi and new hitting coach Joe Dillon, Hoskins could reset his career and be the middle of the lineup bat the Phillies saw in his rookie season not that long ago.

Putting 40 home runs from Hoskins in the middle of the Phillies lineup between Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto would obviously be a game-changer for Philadelphia.

Turning Hoskins around is the number one job for Girardi and Dillon this season, and if they can’t get him right, then we could see Bohm come in and take up some playing time at first base.