Oct 23, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins (17) reacts after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning during game five of the NLCS against the San Diego Padres for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
It appears former Phillies fan favorite Rhys Hoskins has a new home.
Multiple reporters — including Zack Meisel of The Athletic — have reported that the slugger has a locker at Guardians camp, and is wearing gear. Meisel hears that Hoskins will be signing a minor-league deal with an invite to big-league camp:
Source: Once finalized, the Guardians’ deal with Hoskins would be a minor-league contract that pays him a base salary of $1.5M should he make the major-league roster. https://t.co/fhmqq9NZ6Q
Stephen Vogt's Guardians currently have left-handed hitters penciled in at first base and DH in Kyle Manzardo and CJ Kayfus. At the very least, one would imagine Hoskins will get at-bats at one of the two spots against left-handed pitchers.
Hoskins is looking to rebound after a fairly underwhelming two-year stint with the Milwaukee Brewers saw him hit .223 with a .732 OPS. That followed up him missing the entire 2023 season — which turned out to be his final in the Phillies organization — after tearing his left ACL in a Grapefruit League game.
A fifth-round pick in 2014, Hoskins homered 146 times and posted an .846 OPS across parts of six seasons with the Phillies to begin his career. The last we saw Hoskins actually on the field for the Phillies was during their improbable run to the 2022 World Series. While Hoskins hit just .159 in 17 postseason games in 2022, he crushed six crucial home runs, while driving in 12 runs.
The Guardians will visit Citizens Bank Park from May 22-24.
