Bryce Harper to play first base full-time; Phillies expected to move on from Rhys Hoskins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have decided two-time Most Valuable Player Bryce Harper is the team’s first baseman of the future, which means the franchise also is moving on from slugger Rhys Hoskins.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday the front office and manager Rob Thomson came to the conclusion Harper was the best option at first base. The 31-year-old made 36 starts there this season after Hoskins tore his ACL during spring training.

“We think he projects to be an outstanding first baseman,” Dombrowski told the AP at the GM meetings. “He’s willing to do whatever for the organization, and we just think for us, it makes us a better club now and as we go forward.

“It gives us a really good, athletic infield that can be together for years.”

Harper, an outfielder his entire career until Tommy John surgery last Nov. 23, made first base a good fit. Returning earlier than expected on May 2, he hit .293 with 21 homers and 72 RBIs in 126 games, helping the Phillies advance to the NL Championship Series before losing to the Arizona Diamondbacks in seven games.

Dombrowski said he’s informed Hoskins — now a free agent — about the team’s plan. Dombrowski added that there wouldn’t be enough at-bats for Hoskins in a lineup that also includes slugger Kyle Schwarber, who takes a lot of plate appearances at designated hitter.

The Phillies are expected to have an experienced, talented infield next season with Harper at first, Bryson Stott at second, Trea Turner at shortstop and Alec Bohm at third.

During the recently-completed playoffs, Harper credited Phillies infield coach Bobby Dickerson for easing his transition to the infield.

“I feel good at first base,” Harper said in October. “Working with Bobby every single day and getting me out there every day has been huge. Just trying to be really good over there for the guys in the infield.”

With Hoskins likely heading elsewhere in free agency, the Phillies fans will be saying goodbye to one of the favorite players on the team. 

Hoskins, who was drafted by the Phillies in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB draft, saw Philadelphia’s rebuild first-hand. He made his MLB debut late in the 2017 season and immediately made an impact as a rookie. 

Hoskins played 667 regular season games in a Phillies uniform and smacked 148 home runs. He had batting splits of .242/.353/.492/.846 in his career. 

Hoskins played a massive role in the team winning the NL pennant in 2022 and heading to the World Series. He had plenty of memorable moments, including his bat spike after a homer in Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. 

Spotrac projects Hoskins to earn a four-year, $84 million contract in free agency.