Hoskins shines in his first month in majors

PHILADELPHIA - Rhys Hoskins is no ordinary rookie.

Since his debut with the Philadelphia Phillies last month, the 24-year-old slugger has shown prodigious power, remarkable plate discipline and the poise of a veteran.

“He looks like a professional hitter,” manager Pete Mackanin said. “He just gives you quality at-bats. He knows the strike zone. He’s not afraid to get behind in the count. He’s not afraid to go the other way. He wants to drive in the run.”

Even the way he handled silent treatment from his teammates after smacking his first career homer showed his polish. Hoskins walked up and down the dugout, high-fiving the air while all the guys sat stone-faced.

It took Hoskins five games to get that first one and only two more at-bats to go deep again in the same game in San Diego in front of about 30 family and friends. That started his historic run. Hoskins hit 11 homers in his first 18 games, connecting in five straight to tie a rookie record. No player in major league history reached nine, 10 or 11 homers faster than Hoskins.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a young guy look that profound at home plate,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “Look at his walks to strikeouts. That’s the part that tells me he can sustain — not necessarily this pace — but he can sustain it because he doesn’t strike out. He will accept his walks. He doesn’t expand the strike zone. He uses the whole field. He’s a big guy with short movements to the ball. Pretty impressive.” Tigers’ Cabrera, Wilson have suspensions cut by 1 game each: star Miguel Cabrera and reliever Alex Wilson have started serving suspensions after their penalties were reduced by one game in settlements with Major League Baseball.

Cabrera will sit out six games and Wilson will miss three games for their actions on a fight-filled afternoon against theYankees on Aug. 24. Both players had appealed their bans.

— Wire services