Ricky Bo- Replacing Hoskins Wont Be Easy, But They Have Options
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 28: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after striking out in the seventh inning against the Houston Astros in Game One of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 28, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
A routine ground ball to first base, an awkward little turn by Rhys Hoskins, and most likely the end of a season before it began for the “Big Fella”. Hoskins tore his ACL on the play, a rough thing to hear for any ball player. Hoskins was coming up on a big free agent year while having himself a very nice Spring for the Phillies. It may have ended on March 23!
The biggest objective for a ballplayer is trying to stay healthy through Spring Training. Reports are saying it is a torn left ACL. Hoskins will seek a second opinion. But the reality is sinking in that he will miss the entire 2023 season.
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In the picture for the Phillies, is Darick Hall. Who most likely will get the majority of time at first base now. Hall has been working on getting better against left-handed pitchers in the offseason and in the Spring. Last season Hall did some damage with (9 homers and 16 rbi’s), but these production numbers were all vs. right-handed pitching. His numbers in 2022 vs.LHP (1-12, .083, 7 k’s), a small sample size but… eh.
Production and trying to make up 30+ homers and sizeable rbi numbers won’t be simple, but besides Hall, what is the answer to 1st base? Well, some may say J.T. Realmuto for some games…maybe, but the Phillies are already thin at the catcher position (Stubbs with knee, and Marchan with hand) I don’t know if this is viable. Realmuto may be plugged in for a few games here and there….to get him out of the squat, fine. Also, what about Kyle Schwarber for a hand full of games, I can buy into that. I guess that guy has some pop! Now, a popular thought is just moving Bohm over to first, I get this, you have Sosa, who can play third, and both have proven they can play the positions respectfully. The bottom line is give Hall a chance. We may be pleasantly surprised!
Moves are moves, I simply believe two things, the Phillies have hit a bit of turbulence, and I believe Dave Dombrowski has built a team that can overcome some injuries, this is why the leadership on this team is extremely important right now. Number 2, Hoskins and his run production is not easily replaced!
12 Options The Phillies Have for Replacing Rhys Hoskins at First Base
Just as we were getting ready to be hyped for the Phillies season, we get reminded that we can’t have nice things. Rhys Hoskins has torn his ACL. It happened on a weird play on Thursday in Spring Training. Rhys was going back into Right Field to make a play. Then he must have planted his left leg in a weird way because crumpled to the ground in pain. He had to be carted off the field. MRI results later that night showed he tore his ACL.
The shame for Rhys is it comes in a contract year. The shame for the Phillies is that it costs them a very good player. He rightfully gets heat for his play in the field. But it will be hard to replace 30 HRs from the right side of the plate.
Kyle Scwarber tore his ACL in April of 2016. He returned to the Cubs to play in game 1 of the World Series that same season in late October. So perhaps Rhys could be back on the team by the NLCS or the World Series. But even in that best-case scenario, they have 162 regular season games, a potential Wild Card Series, and the Divisional Round series they will have to get through without Rhys Hoskins. They are going to need to find a full-time first baseman to replace him in that time.
The good news is there are options. They are not all the most inspiring of options, but they are options. Some come in-house, and some would come via trade or free agency. Who are those options? which ones make the most sense for the Phillies? Could they get anyone anywhere near as good as Rhys Hoskins? Or will they have to settle for a lesser replacement.
Let’s take a lot at all the avenues the Phillies could go down to replace Rhys Hoskins…
Ricky Bottalico, is a co-host of the afternoon drive show "The Best Show Ever" on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia. He has been with the station for 2 years in July of 2024. Ricky was a professional baseball player for 12 years, after retiring, he then pursued a career in T.V. , getting a job as a baseball analyst which he also holds to this day. As a content creator, he writes articles for 97.5 The Fanatic, he writes articles on the Phillies, Flyers, Sixers and Eagles.