Rhys Hoskins’ New Chapter with Guardians
It looks like Rhys Hoskins won’t be returning to Philadelphia after all.
The former Phillies slugger, who made a name for himself in the City of Brotherly Love over six seasons, has signed a minor league contract with the Guardians, as confirmed by Jon Heyman of the Post.
This deal, worth $1.5 million if he makes the major league roster out of spring training, marks a new beginning for Hoskins.
Interestingly, just days ago, it was reported that Phillies star Bryce Harper was hoping for a bit more “emotional edge” in the batting lineup. He even suggested to team president Dave Dombrowski that they should bring Hoskins back. However, it seems Dombrowski ultimately decided against that reunion.
After a tumultuous offseason that saw Dombrowski lose infielder Bo Bichette to the Mets, there’s been a push to bolster the team’s offense. Though Dombrowski has managed to re-sign players like JT Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber, there’s still some skepticism regarding Harper’s status as an elite player.
From 2018 to 2022, excluding the shortened 2020 season, Hoskins averaged an impressive 30 home runs and 82 RBIs, making him one of MLB’s most reliable sluggers. His performance during the 2022 postseason was particularly memorable; he hit six home runs as the Phillies made their way to the World Series, leaving a lasting impact on the franchise.
Unfortunately, his last spring with the Phillies was marred by a devastating season-ending ACL injury just before the regular season. Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos reflected on that moment, emphasizing how the team fully grasped the gravity of the situation when it happened.
Although he signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the Brewers afterward, Hoskins struggled to find his earlier form. Despite tormenting the Mets up until 2024, he posted a batting average of just .213 with a WAR of -0.9, even while hitting 26 home runs and driving in 82 RBIs.
Last season started positively for him, but a thumb injury cut his campaign short to just 90 games, during which he recorded a .237 batting average with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs.
