The Philadelphia Phillies devoted much of their offseason to locking up two cornerstone players, Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto.
While those moves solidified the core of the roster, another familiar name could potentially return to Philadelphia—if Bryce Harper has any influence on the decision.
According to Devan Kaney of SportsRadio 94WIP Philadelphia, Harper has encouraged the Phillies to consider a reunion with former first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who is currently a free agent. Kaney noted that Hoskins would be open to coming back, though president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is reportedly less enthusiastic about the idea.
Hoskins was originally selected by the Phillies in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB Draft and spent the first six years of his Major League career in Philadelphia. He made an immediate impact, finishing fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2017. During his time with the club, Hoskins established himself as a consistent power threat, producing multiple 30-home run seasons and serving as a key middle-of-the-order bat.
However, a torn ACL wiped out his entire 2023 campaign and effectively ended his tenure in Philadelphia. After recovering, the Phillies opted not to bring him back, and he eventually signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. Now approaching his 33rd birthday in March, Hoskins’ future remains uncertain.
Throughout his Phillies career, Hoskins was consistently an above-average offensive contributor. His lowest wRC+ in Philadelphia was still a respectable 112 in 2019, a season in which he launched 29 home runs. The knee injury may have altered the team’s long-term plans, but his production when healthy was rarely in question.
His first year back from the ACL tear in Milwaukee was uneven. In 2024, Hoskins posted a .214/.303/.419 slash line with 26 home runs over 131 games, though he also struck out at a career-high 28.8% rate. Still, there were encouraging stretches. Early in the following season, he appeared to regain form, compiling an impressive .849 OPS through May and playing a central role in the Brewers’ lineup. A June slump was followed by a thumb injury in early July that derailed his momentum.
While he was sidelined, Milwaukee acquired first baseman Andrew Vaughn from the Chicago White Sox. Vaughn thrived after the trade, which limited Hoskins’ role upon his return. He was eventually relegated to the bench and left off the postseason roster entirely.
In Philadelphia, the roster picture has shifted. After re-signing Schwarber, there initially seemed to be little room for another first base or designated hitter option. However, the team released outfielder Nick Castellanos, absorbing the remaining $20 million on his contract. Castellanos has since joined the San Diego Padres, creating a potential opening for a right-handed bench bat.
Hoskins has historically excelled against left-handed pitching, owning an .882 OPS in over 1,000 plate appearances against southpaws. While he would not supplant Harper or Schwarber in the lineup, he could provide value in platoon situations, especially against tough lefties.
If the Phillies are willing to occasionally deploy Schwarber in the outfield, Hoskins could slot in at designated hitter. With Brandon Marsh projected to start in left field against right-handers and rookie Justin Crawford expected to handle center field duties, there may be matchup-based opportunities—particularly since Marsh has struggled significantly against left-handed pitching. In that scenario, a reunion with Hoskins could make strategic sense, provided the front office is open to it.
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