That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies: Comparing each 2008 star to a current MLB player

By Jason Reed

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 24: Gold Medal Olympians Carli Lloyd, Heather Mitts, Jordan Burroughs, and Susan Francia pose for a picture with Philadelphia Phillies Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Cole Hamels after the Olypians threw the first pitch before the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 24, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brian Garfinkel/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 24: Gold Medal Olympians Carli Lloyd, Heather Mitts, Jordan Burroughs, and Susan Francia pose for a picture with Philadelphia Phillies Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Cole Hamels after the Olypians threw the first pitch before the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 24, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brian Garfinkel/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) – Philadelphia Phillies
(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) – Philadelphia Phillies /

Ryan Howard: Rhys Hoskins

Ryan Howard’s prime may have been short but wow was it fun. Outside of Giancarlo Stanton’s few years, Howard is the last big home run hitter that was hitting home runs at a record pace. Sure, there have been some big seasons here and there, but nobody has matched the 198 home runs he hit from 2006 through 2009.

It is hard to get a comparison for Howard because his home run number is so high. There are not many players that slug 48 home runs and drive in 146 RBIs, leading the league in both. Ironically enough, the player who compares the most to Howard is current Phillies first baseman, Rhys Hoskins.

Hoskins is not going to reach the overall numbers that Howard reached in 2008 because he missed time and is out for the season. But when it comes to rates, Hoskins is fairly close. Out of all the big power-hitting first basemen this season he is the best example of a low batting average, big home run hitter.

MUST-READ: Ranking Bryce Harper and the other likely NL MVP finalists 

Hoskins is hitting .247 with a .864 OPS and 27 home runs. Howard hit .251 with a .881 OPS and 48 home runs. Howard posted a 125 OPS+ in 2008 while Hoskins currently has a 134 OPS+.

Hoskins has hit one home run in every 16.4 plate appearances this season. Howard, who reached exactly 700 plate appearances in 2008, hit one home run in every 14.6 plate appearances. Howard is higher, but it is not that far off.

If Hoskins had 700 plate appearances this season, at his current rate. He would hit 43 home runs this season. He also has driven in 71 RBIs. At his run-producing rate he would have 112 RBIs. Howard had far more but 112 RBIs is a lot in 2021 and would likely lead the league, just like Howard.

It is a shame that Hoskins’ 2021 season is already over.

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