It’s hard to write anything new and exciting about what’s happening with Rhys Hoskins. The performance speaks for itself – a home run every few plate appearances, and nothing cheap, causing all of us to scream at our phones, computers and televisions in disbelief.
Literally, on about four occasions now, I’ve glanced at my phone to check the Phillies score just to see if Hoskins homered. And in each of those occasions, Hoskins had just homered.
So yeah, speechless.
He has hit a home run in each of his last five games, and he has hit a home run in each of the last 10 days (that cursed doubleheader). He has hit home runs off good pitchers (Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana, Dan Straily). He has hit home runs in pitcher’s parks (PETCO Park, AT&T Park).
Hoskins has only twice swung at the first pitch for an out. He has only had nine plate appearances that have ended at two pitches or fewer (4-for-8, 2B, 2 HR, HBP). After getting down 0-2 Hoskins is hitting .278/.316/.778. (For reference, 2007 Chase Utley was .222/.291/.323 with one home run after 0-2.)
Hoskins has worked a full count 18 times out of 76 appearances, nearly 25 percent of the time. With full counts Hoskins is hitting .333/.556/1.083 with three home runs, six walks and two strikeouts. Yes, he’s slugging 1.083 – that isn’t his OPS.
Just some of the ridiculous numbers. Carry on.