Rhys Hoskins could join Phillies as early as Thursday
Rhys Hoskins' promotion appears imminent, he could be in Philadelphia when the team opens a four-game homestand with the Mets.
ATLANTA – The Phillies will celebrate their past this weekend but first they may introduce a piece of their future.
Rhys Hoskins' promotion appears imminent and the prospect could join the Phillies as soon as Thursday when the team opens a four-game homestand with the Mets highlighted by Alumni Weekend. Hoskins played left field in Allentown on Wednesday night for the third-straight game as he continued his transition from first base.
"I'm anxious to see him. I liked his approach in spring training. I must say that I'm anxious to see him at this level, see how he competes," manager Pete Mackanin said. "If his at-bats this spring are an indication of what he can do here, he looks like he can handle it here. Matt Klentak will make that decision. I'll defer to the people that see him more often than I do."
The Phillies moved Hoskins from first base to left field on Monday in order to fit him and Tommy Joseph in the same lineup. The position change is temporary. It is simply a way to get Hoskins' bat to the majors without moving Joseph. The opportunity arose when Aaron Altherr suffered a hamstring injury that should keep him sidelined for two or three weeks.
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Hoskins, 24, entered Wednesday with 28 homers and a .954 OPS in 114 games at triple-A Lehigh Valley. He's been incredibly consistent this season, just as he has at every step of the minor-leagues. The righthanded hitter has 66 homers over the past two seasons. It is time for a new challenge.
"I think he's proven he can hit in triple A," Mackanin said. "It's up to Matt and Joe Jordan [director of player development] and the people above me because I really don't see him much. I did see one at-bat and he struck out, so I didn't like that."
No Alfaro, again
Jorge Alfaro was out of the lineup again on Wednesday and has caught just one of the five games since he joined the team when Andrew Knapp fractured his right hand. Manager Pete Mackanin said he can't determine how often Alfaro will play while Knapp is on the disabled list. Alfaro's defense has been a concern, but Mackanin said that is not keeping him from playing him.
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"Not necessarily," Mackanin said. "We'll just take it day by day and I'll decide."
Extra Bases
Lefthanded pitching prospect Elniery Garcia made his double-A debut on Wednesday night. He was suspended for 80 games this season after testing positive for an anabolic steroid and pitched in two Gulf Coast League games before being added to Reading's roster. He had a 2.68 ERA last season in 20 games at high-A Clearwater, impressing the Phillies enough to add him to the 40-man roster … Phillies righthander Vince Velasquez will start Thursday's series opener against Mets righthander Jacob deGrom.