Rhys Hoskins

Rhys Hoskins Bio

Rhys Dean Hoskins is an American professional baseball first baseman who has played in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, and Cleveland Guardians. Born on March 17, 1993, in Sacramento, California, Hoskins emerged as one of baseball’s most prolific power hitters following his MLB debut in 2017. He set multiple records for rookie home run production and became a key contributor during the Phillies’ run to the 2022 World Series. Hoskins has been recognized throughout his career for his exceptional ability to draw walks and hit for power, compiling 193 career home runs and 559 runs batted in through June 2026.

Early Life and Background

Hoskins was born to Paul and Cathy Hoskins, both lawyers, in Sacramento, California. As a child, he exhibited a fiercely competitive nature, eager to win at card games, board games, and pickup games in the family backyard. When Hoskins was two years old, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She succumbed to the disease in 2009, shortly before his 16th birthday. Following his mother’s death, Hoskins grew closer to his younger sister Meloria.

A lifelong fan of the San Francisco Giants, Hoskins initially modeled his swing after J.T. Snow, who had a background in gridiron football before becoming a first baseman. He later adjusted his approach to emulate Paul Goldschmidt’s power-hitting style. Hoskins attended Jesuit High School in Carmichael, California, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete in baseball, basketball, and football while maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average. His parents encouraged him to pursue multiple activities rather than specializing in one sport prematurely. Hoskins graduated in 2011 with a career .421 batting average, 28 RBIs, and a .544 on-base percentage during his high school career.

Path to Professional Baseball

Hoskins chose to continue his baseball career at California State University, Sacramento, which was the only college to offer him a scholarship. He played for the Sacramento State Hornets and quickly established himself as an elite collegiate hitter. As a freshman, he batted .353 with a .567 slugging percentage, 10 home runs, and 53 RBIs, earning Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors and multiple All-American accolades. In 2013, he played summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he was named a league all-star.

During his junior season, Hoskins led the WAC in home runs (12), RBIs (53), and slugging percentage (.573) while hitting .319. These performances earned him WAC Player of the Year honors and Third Team All-American recognition. His development at Sacramento State refined both his mental approach to the game and his power-hitting mechanics, setting the foundation for his professional career.

Rhys Hoskins Career

Minor League Development (2014–2017)

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Hoskins in the fifth round, 142nd overall, of the 2014 MLB draft. He signed for a $349,700 signing bonus and made his professional debut with the Low-A Williamsport Crosscutters, where he batted .237 with nine home runs in 70 games. The Phillies assigned him to the Florida Instructional League that September, where he developed his signature left leg kick batting stance. In 2015 with the Single-A Lakewood BlueClaws, Hoskins earned SAL All-Star recognition and was named Phillies Minor League Player of the Month in May after batting .342 with 23 RBIs. Between Lakewood and High-A Clearwater, he combined to hit .319 with 17 home runs and 90 RBIs in 567 plate appearances.

After the 2015 season, Hoskins played with the Sydney Blue Sox of the Australian Baseball League, batting .323 with eight home runs in 42 games. He began 2016 with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils, where he and teammate Dylan Cozens formed one of minor league baseball’s most prolific power duos. By mid-June, the pair had combined for 36 home runs, and by season’s end, they became the first Reading teammates to each hit 30 or more home runs in a single season. Hoskins finished with 38 home runs, 116 RBIs, and a .281 batting average, earning Eastern League Rookie of the Year honors and the Paul Owens Award as the top player in the Phillies farm system.

Philadelphia Phillies Breakthrough (2017–2022)

Hoskins opened the 2017 season with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, where he dominated before his call-up. He led the International League in RBIs (91), OPS (.966), on-base percentage (.385), and slugging percentage (.581), earning MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in the circuit. The Phillies promoted him to the majors on August 10, 2017, and he debuted that same day against the New York Mets.

What followed was one of the most remarkable rookie stretches in baseball history. Hoskins hit his first two major league home runs on August 14 against the San Diego Padres, becoming the first Phillies player to accomplish that feat since Scott Rolen in 1996. On August 26, he became the fastest player in recorded MLB history to reach 10 career home runs, doing so in just 17 games. He continued his assault on the record books, becoming the fastest to 12 home runs in only 24 games. In his first 26 games, Hoskins accumulated 48 RBIs and hit .259 with an extraordinary .618 slugging percentage. For the 2017 season, he batted .259/.396/.618 with 18 home runs and 48 RBIs in 170 at-bats, finishing fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Hoskins continued his offensive production in subsequent seasons. In 2018, he became the fastest Phillies player to reach 30 career home runs (120 games) and 100 career RBIs (124 games). He participated in the MLB Home Run Derby as the eighth seed, defeating Jesús Aguilar before falling to Kyle Schwarber in the final round despite becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 20 home runs in a single derby round. For the season, he hit 34 home runs with 96 RBIs while leading the National League in pitches per plate appearance.

The 2019 season saw Hoskins post a .226/.364/.454 slash line with 29 home runs and 85 RBIs while leading the NL with 116 walks. He again posted the highest fly ball percentage in baseball. After a shortened 2020 campaign in which he batted .245/.384/.503 with 10 home runs, Hoskins underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in October 2020. He battled through an abdominal tear and groin strain during the 2021 season, limiting him to 107 games, though he still led the Phillies with 27 home runs and 71 RBIs.

In 2022, Hoskins served as the Phillies’ primary first baseman, batting .246/.332/.462 with 30 home runs and 79 RBIs. He led the team in at-bats and doubles as Philadelphia advanced to the World Series, where they fell to the Houston Astros in six games. In March 2023, Hoskins suffered a torn ACL during spring training and missed the entire season. The Phillies subsequently decided not to re-sign him, and he became a free agent.

Milwaukee Brewers Era (2024–2025)

On January 26, 2024, Hoskins signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, which included a player opt-out after the first season and a mutual option for 2025. On June 3, 2024, he returned to Philadelphia for the first time since the 2022 World Series and received a standing ovation. Hoskins commemorated the moment by hitting a home run in his first game back at Citizens Bank Park.

The 2025 season presented challenges and triumphs for Hoskins. He started slowly but caught fire in late May, putting together a multi-dozen game hitting streak that elevated his slash line to .300/.402/.500. He attributed this resurgence to a mechanical adjustment in his batting approach, striding forward earlier before initiating his swing. However, his production dipped significantly in June, and he later suffered a Grade 2 thumb sprain in July while tagging out an opponent, requiring a stint on the injured list. For the season, Hoskins appeared in 90 games, slashing .237/.332/.416 with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs. On November 4, 2025, the Brewers declined their side of a mutual option, making him a free agent.

Cleveland Guardians (2026–Present)

On February 22, 2026, Hoskins signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians. He made the team’s Opening Day roster after impressing during spring training, and the Guardians selected his contract on March 25, 2026.

Driving Style and Strengths

Hoskins has established himself as an elite power hitter with exceptional plate discipline. His signature left leg kick batting stance generates tremendous bat speed and power, particularly on fly balls. He has consistently posted among the highest fly ball percentages in baseball, and his ability to draw walks ranks among the best in the National League. His patience at the plate creates favorable counts and pitches to hit, making him a dangerous middle-of-the-order bat. Defensively, he has played both first base and left field throughout his career, showing versatility in the field.

Notable Events and Milestones

Hoskins holds the MLB record for fastest player to reach 10 and 12 career home runs, accomplishing both feats in 2017. He became the fastest Phillie to reach 100 walks and also reached 50 career home runs faster than all but six players in baseball history. His 2017 rookie season featured an 18-homer August that set a Phillies record for most home runs by a rookie in a single month. His charitable work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association raised over $1 million during his time in Philadelphia.

Rhys Hoskins Career Wins

Throughout his career spanning from 2017 through 2026, Hoskins has accumulated impressive offensive statistics across multiple organizations. His power-hitting ability and plate discipline have made him a consistent run producer at every level of professional baseball.

Major League Baseball Highlights

Through June 28, 2026, Hoskins has compiled 193 career home runs and 559 RBIs in MLB play. His rookie season in 2017 remains his most prolific from a rate standpoint, as he hit 18 home runs in just 170 at-bats after his August call-up. The 2018 season saw him reach 34 home runs and 96 RBIs while earning a spot in the Home Run Derby. His 2022 campaign with the Phillies included 30 home runs and 79 RBIs during the team’s championship run. His signature moment came on June 3, 2024, when he homered in his return to Philadelphia as a member of the Brewers.

Minor League and Award Wins

Prior to his MLB career, Hoskins dominated minor league competition at every level. He earned International League MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in 2017 with Lehigh Valley, along with Eastern League Rookie of the Year recognition in 2016 with Reading. He won the Paul Owens Award as the Phillies’ top minor leaguer in 2016. In college, he was named WAC Player of the Year in 2014 and earned Freshman of the Year honors in 2012.

Rhys Hoskins Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Hoskins was raised in Sacramento, California, by his parents Paul and Cathy Hoskins, both of whom worked as attorneys. His mother Cathy passed away in 2009 following a battle with breast cancer, an event that Hoskins has cited as a defining moment in his youth that brought him closer to his sister Meloria. His competitive drive was evident from childhood, as he consistently sought to win at various games and activities.

Personal Life

Hoskins married his longtime girlfriend Jayme Bermudez on November 9, 2019. Phillies teammate Scott Kingery served as a groomsman at the wedding. During his tenure with the Phillies, Hoskins and his wife became deeply involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, raising over $1 million for the organization through various fundraising efforts. He resides in the Sacramento area during the offseason and maintains connections to his California roots.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a year of adjustment and resilience for Hoskins with the Milwaukee Brewers. After signing a two-year deal in January, he struggled out of the gate but found his rhythm dramatically in late May. His mechanical adjustment to his batting stance paid immediate dividends, as he compiled an impressive .300/.402/.500 slash line over a multi-dozen game stretch that showcased his ability to hit for average and power simultaneously.

Despite the offensive breakthrough, Hoskins faced setbacks throughout the season. His production regressed in June, and a thumb sprain sustained in July while making a tag required a stint on the injured list that sidelined him for four to eight weeks. He finished the regular season with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs in 90 appearances, numbers that fell short of expectations but demonstrated his ability to contribute when healthy. The Brewers’ decision to decline their mutual option reflected the organization’s roster flexibility rather than a lack of confidence in Hoskins’ abilities, setting the stage for his next chapter with the Cleveland Guardians in 2026.