Hoskins, 33 next month, spent six seasons in Philadelphia as one of the more reliable above-average corner bats in the game. He managed to make up for the low batting averages by consistently flashing 30-homer pop and keeping his walk rate above 10%. After a 2022 season in which he slashed .246/.332/.462 with 30 home runs in 156 games, Hoskins thought he would be a key piece in the Phillies’ lineup heading into 2023, when those plans were abruptly scuttled by an ACL tear that wiped out his entire season. That lost season led Hoskins to hit free agency as something of an unknown quantity, but he ultimately found a two-year deal with the Brewers that gave him the chance to opt out after the 2024 season.
The veteran played in 131 games for Milwaukee that first season, but didn’t hit at his typical level, posting a slash line of just .214/.303/.419 and a wRC+ of 101. While he was still good for 26 home runs, a career-high strikeout rate of 28.8% undermined much of the value Hoskins had provided during his days in Philadelphia. That poor season was enough to convince Hoskins to stay in Milwaukee for 2025, but he was limited to just 90 games this past season due to a sprained thumb. The good news is that when he was on the field, his production returned to being significantly above league average. In 328 trips to the plate last year, Hoskins slashed .237/.332/.416 with a wRC+ of 109. While Hoskins’ power numbers were the weakest of his career, his strikeout rate fell to 27.7%, while his walk rate rose to 11.6%, his highest since 2020.
However, a second injury-plagued season in the past three years has been bad news for Hoskins’ market value, and he has barely been discussed in the rumor mill since returning to free agency in November. With Spring Training underway, Hoskins opted to join the Guardians on a minor league pact. The veteran fits Cleveland’s needs well, and signing with them should give him every opportunity to crack the club’s roster on Opening Day. Both first basemen Kyle Manzardo and projected designated hitter CJ Kayfus are left-handed hitters, so a right-handed first base/DH option like Hoskins is a strong fit on paper. While Hoskins actually had reverse splits last year, he is a career 137 wRC+ hitter against lefties, and even last year’s 102 wRC+ would be a substantial improvement over the numbers Mazardo (83) and Kayfus (67) posted against lefties last year.
While on paper it seems likely that Hoskins will be ticketed to a platoon role, it’s not at all difficult to imagine him working his way to earning daily reps. After all, Kayfus is a rookie who posted a wRC+ of just 96 in 44 games last year, and Hoskins is a capable hitter against righties looking at both last season (111 wRC+) and his career (115). With Cleveland, the veteran should have a strong chance of putting together a rebound season after his struggles to stay on the field and produce consistently through a full season, which has occurred in recent years. If he can rediscover some of the form that made him a mediocre bat for the Phillies a few years ago, it’s not too difficult to imagine Hoskins becoming a key part of the Guardians’ lineup alongside stars. Jose Ramirez And Steven Kwan.
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