The Philadelphia Phillies have posted one of the best records in all of baseball since making a big change.
Earlier this season, the team parted ways with long-time manager Rob Thomson and appointed bench coach and New York Yankees legend Don Mattingly as his interim replacement. That seemed to spark something in the group, as it rattled off six straight series wins in the immediate aftermath.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper Feels Bad About Replacing Team’s Former Homegrown Slugger
But even though the Phillies have fielded the same core of veteran stars — including Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Zack Wheeler and others — for several years now, they have made some significant changes to the team before Mattingly’s promotion.
For instance, Thomson was a mid-season manager replacement himself, stepping into the role after the team fired Joe Girardi. And the team also cut ties with homegrown slugger Rhys Hoskins after a significant knee injury before the 2023 season.
Hoskins, who was drafted by the Phillies in 2014, was the team’s first baseman for six seasons before that injury. But the team opted not to re-sign him when he returned in 2024. Instead, Harper moved to first base and the Phillies moved on.
But with Hoskins facing the Phillies once again, now as a member of the Cleveland Guardians, Harper sent a regretful response on that decision.
“I think about Rhyser all the time,” Harper told The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber. “He’s one of my favorites I’ve ever played with. You kind of feel bad in a certain way, I guess. Right? Because you think to yourself, if I wouldn’t have (learned to play first base) then maybe he’d still be here.”
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper Rules Out Reunion With Former Homegrown Slugger
After Hoskins enjoyed so many productive years with the organization, Phillies fans have floated the idea of a reunion. And Harper has indicated that he’d be willing to move back to the outfield to accommodate an impactful roster addition.
Despite his regrets about losing Hoskins, Harper recently dismissed the idea that a reunion would make sense.
“Obviously, you’d always love to have Rhys back in any fashion,” Harper told 94 WIP Radio earlier this year. “It kind of just doesn’t fit for us as a team right now with the DH spot, first base, outfield. Didn’t really make sense.”
Though the Phillies seem like they could use a significant right-handed bat as they look to return to the World Series with Mattingly at the helm, Hoskins might not be as productive from the plate as he once was. He is slashing just .185/.343/.361 for the Guardians so far this season.
So, as much as Harper laments the team’s decision to cut ties with Hoskins after his injury, it seems unlikely that he’ll be changing positions to foster a reunion with his old teammate anytime soon.