Phillies Rhys Hoskins finally gets promoted: Fantasy fallout
By Brad Kelly
Rhys Hoskins tore up the minor leagues this season for the Phillies. They have finally promoted him, but what is the fantasy fallout of the news?
The Phillies own the worst record in MLB. While expectations were not sky-high for the Phills entering the season, no one would have projected them to struggle as much as they have. They still own plenty of intriguing players, but the promotion of Ryhs Hoskins is an interesting fantasy development.
But, is he worth a fantasy add?
The short answer is, yes. There have been few better power threats in the minors the last two seasons than Hoskins. In 2016, he posted a monster .281/38 HR/116 RBI/.943 OPS line at AA. He then followed that performance this season, with a .284/29 HR/91 RBI/.966 OPS line at AAA.
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Many have clamored for the promotion of the mammoth 24-year-old before now, but with Aaron Altherr back on the DL and out till September, the team is willing to throw Hoskins in left field. Hoskins is the Phillies’ future at first base, yet the team still wants to roll with the Tommy Joseph experience at first.
Hoskins’ promotion gives him about a month of full-time at-bats in the outfield. Once considered a question of whether the power would develop, he has combined elite bat speed with his raw size to become an absolute masher.
Another area of strength in his game is his plate discipline. Often sluggers are prone to rack up strikeouts but for a guy who has amassed 67 HR the last two years, he has notched at least a 12% BB rate at the same time. He only struck out around 17% of the time in the minors, so it is easy to see why he could be successful in the bigs immediately.
In terms of fantasy, Hoskins is worth a waiver wire add. The power, bat speed, and patience, speak to a hitter ready to produce immediately. Playing at Citizens Bank Park will surely help and he will see at-bats near the middle of the lineup.
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