Categories: 2020 Season Preview

Phillies Nation 2020 Season Preview: Rhys Hoskins

The 2020 regular season is scheduled to begin in late July, which means it’s finally time to talk some baseball! To prepare you for the season, Phillies Nation will be taking an in-depth look at all of your favorite players. Here’s a review of Rhys Hoskins’ 2019 season as well as what to expect from the Phillies first baseman in 2020.

Rhys Hoskins took Major League Baseball by storm in 2017 when he was called up in mid-August and became the first player in history to hit 18 home runs in his first 34 games.

Rhys Hoskins is eligible for arbitration at the end of this season. (Cheryl Pursell)

Hoskins was able to produce well in his follow up 2018 campaign, and it looked like he would carry that through the 2019 season after an impressive first half. But he struggled in the second half, leaving much doubt in his long-term value for the club.

2019 Review

2019 Stats: 160 G, 705, PA 29 HRs, 85 RBIs, .226/.364/.454, 110 OPS+, 2.2 fWAR

While much of the Phillies offense struggled during the first half of the season, Hoskins was really productive. Over his first 89 games, Hoskins slashed .263/.401/.530 with a .931 OPS to go along with 20 home runs and 59 RBIs. He was on pace to shatter all of his career highs from the previous season, and his future outlook was strong.

But then, the second half happened. Hoskins had one of the worst stretches in baseball, only slashing .180/.318/.361 with a putrid .679 OPS to go along with nine home runs and 26 RBIs. Hoskins had always shown a tendency to be streaky throughout his career, but this was by far the longest bad stretch of his career.

In the end, Hoskins’ season was truly the tale of two halves. Despite the excellent first three and a half months, Hoskins’ season ended with many questioning whether he is the star many thought him to be after his debut in 2017.

2020 Preview

Hoskins is relying on a new batting stance to help pull him out of his second-half woes from 2019. Given his complete track record at the Major League level, he is certainly likely to be more productive than he was during the final three months of last season:

Hoskins is likely to remain a streaky hitter as he has been throughout his major league career. The streakiness that Hoskins has shown throughout his career mean that the results of a 60-game season are likely to be extreme.

It will really just depend if, during this season, he is on a hot streak like he was during the first half of last season or a cold streak like he was to finish out the season. This could very well be the best, or worst, season of Hoskins’ career.

Even with prospect Alec Bohm set to make the majors, it looks like Hoskins will remain at first base during the season. The Phillies may go to a DH by committee, so Hoskins is sure to see some time there, too.

Check out our previous 2020 Season Previews