Phillies place Rhys Hoskins on 10-day injured list

The Philadelphia Phillies announced they have placed first baseman Rhys Hoskins on the 10-day injured list with a groin strain. The move is retroactive to Aug. 7, meaning he can return one week from today if he is healthy.

Hoskins has played in 102 games this season, 101 of which came at first base. He has slashed .244/.332/.509 with 123 wRC+, a .358 wOBA, and a .275 BABIP. His contributions also include 24 homers, 61 runs, 68 RBI, a 10.6 percent walk rate, and a 24.9 percent walk rare. Although he’s sporting the second-best slugging percentage of his career, Hoskins’ strikeout and walk rates are both career-worsts.

When it comes to several Statcast metrics, the 28-year-old checks in among baseball’s best players. He ranks in the 80th percentile for exit velocity, 87th percentile for xwOBA, 94th percentile for both barrel rate and xSLG, and 97th percentile for xISO. On the other hand, he’s struggling defensively, as evidenced by his 24th-percentile grade in terms of outs above average.

The 6-foot-4 slugger has demonstrated a true pull ability this year; 83.3 percent of his homers have landed in left or left-center field.

With Hoskins heading to the injured list, Philadelphia is promoting former outfield prospect Mickey Moniak to the majors. He’s slashing .257/.310/.490 at Triple-A this year but just .115/.207/.231 at the MLB level.

The top candidate to fill in at first base during Hoskins’s absence is veteran infielder Brad Miller, who has played the position 19 times in 2021.

The Phillies surely hope this is a short-term injury that will allow their power-hitting first baseman to return soon. His presence will be critical for Philadelphia as they make a playoff push.