Phillies need Rhys Hoskins to homer more consistently

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins is having a decent month at the plate. Through two dozen games and 55 plate appearances in May, the 28-year-old is slashing.313/.400/.396 with 15 hits, including four doubles, nine RBI, six walks, and 13 strikeouts.

Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins has not homered in nearly 20 games.

Over this stretch of 14 games, the Phillies have an 8-6 record and Hoskins has fielded a perfect 103 1/3 innings without committing an error at first base.

While all seems well, there is a glaring “zero” in Hoskins’ game log statistics across the past 18 games since April 27 — zero home runs. According to Twitter user tgpschmenkB, this is the second-longest home run drought of the Sacramento, California, native’s career:

• 28 games: 9/18/19 – 8/16/20
• 18 games: 4/27/21 – 5/15/21 (current)
• 17 games: 9/15/17 – 3/29/18
• 16 games: 6/30/18 – 7/20/18
• 15 games: 5/8/19 – 5/23/19

Right before this recent skid, Hoskins slugged an impressive six home runs across six games and 26 plate appearances. Doing so, he jumped into sole possession of first place for the lead in home runs across Major League Baseball, with eight. Now, the MLB home runs leaders are right fielders Ronald Acuna Jr. (12) and Mitch Haniger (12), of the Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners respectively.

The Phillies could have used a home run from Hoskins in Saturday’s loss.

Considering the Phillies appear to once again be without Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto — exiting Saturday’s eventual 4-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Florida, with right shoulder tightness and a left wrist injury, respectively — the Phillies need Hoskins to step up.

Aaron Nola struggled early in the game, but ultimately rebounded by allowing only three runs in 6 2/3 innings. The Phillies faced a starting pitcher who had a 10.24 ERA entering the contest, left-hander Anthony Kay, who ended up allowing only one hit and two walks across four scoreless frames — along with striking out a season-high six batters.

The Phillies should have been able to muster up some offense, especially as they played close to their spring training home in Clearwater, Florida. Hoskins went 2-for-2, including a double and walk, in the defeat, but it would have been nice to see him end his recent home run drought.