Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Hoskins looking forward to swinging with stars in derby
BALTIMORE » When Rhys Hoskins got the call inviting him to participate in the Home Run Derby next week, his first instinct was to say yes. And a text from his past underscored to the Phillies outfielder why his response was so instantaneous.
“I grew up watching it as a kid,” Hoskins said Thursday before a one-day makeup game in Baltimore. “I got a text from my host family that I was with in rookie ball, saying, ‘Hey you remember how a few years ago we all gathered around watching the Derby? And now you’re going to be in it.’ I think it’s too cool of an opportunity to be a part of to say no to.”
Hoskins’ participation in the Derby in Washington was announced Wednesday night. He’s the No. 8 seed in the bracket-style tournament, taking on top-seed Jesus Aguilar of Milwaukee in the first round.
Of the eight participants, only the hometown boy, No. 2 seed Bryce Harper, has participated in a Derby before. Hoskins is one of three participants, with the Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber and the Dodgers’ Max Muncy, who weren’t selected for the All-Star Game.
Hoskins’ Derby memories are all as a spectator. He mentioned the 1996 clash of titans between Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire, then with Oakland, at Veterans Stadium resonating with him given his Bay Area roots. The Sacramento native was too young to remember it live, just past his third birthday, but recalls watching videos online. He also recounted the 2006 edition, won by Ryan Howard.
“It’s really cool. What an incredible honor, and nobody is more deserving of an honor like that,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “… I’m really happy for him. He’s deserving. He’s going to learn a lot. It’s an awesome opportunity.”
Hoskins has 14 home runs in 82 games. He belted 18 in a 50-game stretch last year.
Kapler hopes the exposure will be beneficial for Hoskins, just as it will be for first-time All-Star Aaron Nola. Kapler views the Derby as the larger baseball-watching public’s introduction to Hoskins, and he’s hopeful that both of his All-Star Week participants will take something from the experience. It’s part of the reason why Kapler opted to throw Nola on regular rest Saturday instead of giving him the extra day with a Sunday start that would’ve ruled him out for the midsummer classic.
“I would say the opportunity to listen, and for me, I would just want to be, if I was putting myself in Rhys’ shoes, just kind of hanging around the cage, just listening to exceptional hitters and the best players in baseball talk,” Kapler said. “If I was Noles, I would probably do the same thing: Pay attention to what the pitching coaches are saying, pay very close attention to what the best pitchers around baseball are saying and see what I could pick up and absorb and apply.”
“These guys are the best in the game, so I’m just excited to be around them, see what kind of guys they are and how they carry themselves, in the clubhouse, off the field,” Hoskins said. “Obviously there’s a lot going on, just see how they carry themselves with that, too. I’m just excited to be part of that for the day. Obviously Nola will get more there being there the whole week. It’ll just be a cool opportunity.”
Kapler doesn’t buy the bad reputation that the Home Run Derby gets in altering swings. It would seem to be even less important in an increasingly all-or-nothing league, even if Hoskins isn’t as susceptible to swinging for the fences as most. Kapler has seen both sides of the coin and suspects there could be as many guys whose Home Run Derby performance lit the spark on a strong second half as are those sent spiraling by it.
Hoskins is approaching it just like any other batting practice session, albeit one where he extends his power-focused portion.
“I get it for some people, I guess,” he said. “But I don’t think that when you talk about making changes in a swing to do the Derby, that’s not going to be an issue for me.”