Phillies hoping Rhys Hoskins becomes what past prospects could not
Hoskins has already blasted four home runs, will he be the next face of the franchise for the Phillies?
Flash in the pan is a term used too often with many Phillies prospects. Maikel Franco has tailed off from his exciting debut year, Domonic Brown failed to stay consistent, and others have failed to establish themselves as cornerstone players.
Aaron Nola is looking like that cornerstone player for the rotation, but what bats will stay constants? Rhys Hoskins has come up to the Majors with the same hot bat that propelled him in Lehigh Valley. He has hit four home runs in 33 at-bats, and is a constant threat in the middle of the lineup.
Hoskins is the first of the group of prospects to come in and make an immediate impact. Catcher prospect Jorge Alfaro has had positive instances that signals him as the catcher of the future, but he hasn’t seen the success Hoskins has.
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Just a short year ago, Hoskins was part of a fearful Reading Phillies lineup that included Dylan Cozens. Many wondered who would be the breakout power bat, and thus far it’s been the former. Hoskins eruption may be a flash of the pan, or it may be the beginnings of a an established core.
The struggles of the post-Golden era Phillies have been well noted. The Achilles’ tendon injury that ended 2011 NLDS, Ryan Howard‘s peak, and the era of the Phillies that seems unmatched. Now, the new era of baseball is beginning.
It’s fitting that it’s Rhys Hoskins starting the movement. A power-hitting first baseman. One that could potentially impact an offense the way Howard did.
Thus far, the established pieces the Phillies are nice surrounding players for the core. But no one has stepped up as the outright star of the lineup. Hoskins could swing his way into that stardom, as long he continues to connect with the ball like he already has.
There’s a ton of time for Hoskins to prove that he’s more than just a flash of the pan. But as of now, the Phillies should feel comfortable that he’ll develop into a feared bat in the middle of the lineup.
There may still be some darker days in the future for the Phils, but as of now, there’s a light ahead. That light for now is Rhys Hoskins.
And it’s safe to say he’ll be around Philadelphia for a while.