Rhys Hoskins’ first Guardians comments show what a great teammate he was with Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers' latest free agent splurge didn't go exactly according to plan. Two years ago, the Brewers agreed to a two-year, $34 million contract with Rhys Hoskins, the longtime member of the Philadelphia Phillies. Hoskins was one of the more high-profile names that the Brewers have signed in recent years -- a signing that was only made possible by the fact that Hoskins was coming off an ACL surgery and needed a short-term deal to re-establish his value.

However, while Brewers fans were dreaming of postseason homers and an established slugger in the middle of their lineup, Hoskins never quite lived up to the lofty expectations that were set by his productive years in Philadelphia. In his first season in Milwaukee, just a year removed from his knee reconstruction, Hoskins did pop 26 homers, but due to his .214 batting average and .303 on-base percentage, he was deemed a below-league-average hitter by OPS+. Additionally, due mostly to some defensive woes at first base, Hoskins posted -0.2 bWAR in his debut season in a Brewers uniform.

As a result of his somewhat disappointing 2024 campaign, Hoskins agreed to the player option included in his contract and returned for another year in Milwaukee. The season got off to a great start for the veteran slugger -- Hoskins was the Brewers' best hitter through the first two months of the season. However, an unproductive month of June was followed by a thumb sprain in early July that landed Hoskins on the IL.

It was an incredibly frustrating string of events for Hoskins, made worse by the fact that he lost his starting job while recovering from his thumb injury. Now, the veteran first baseman is attempting to earn his way onto the Cleveland Guardians' roster after agreeing to a minor league deal with the AL Central club over the weekend. Hoskins' comments on his time in Milwaukee after joining the Guardians' organization prove that despite his frustrating Brewers tenure, he remained a true professional.

Rhys Hoskins shows understanding of Brewers' approach to his injury return after frustrating tenure in Milwaukee

A few days ago, in regard to the battle for the Brewers' closer role in 2026, I discussed the unwritten rule in baseball that players shouldn't lose their jobs due to an injury. While players generally earn the right to prove that they belong in their previous role when they return from injury, circumstances don't always allow for that opportunity. Last year in Milwaukee was a perfect example.

After Hoskins went on the IL with his sprained thumb, the Brewers turned to newcomer Andrew Vaughn to fill his role. Vaughn proceeded to go on a ridiculous hot streak that landed him in Brewers' record books. When Hoskins was ready to return -- in late August during the middle of the Brewers' playoff push -- it was near impossible to take opportunities away from the red-hot Vaughn. As a result, Hoskins lost his starting role due to his thumb injury and was left off the postseason roster.

It had to be one of the most frustrating times of Hoskins' baseball career, made worse by the fact that he was due to become a free agent at season's end and needed to bolster his value. However, when asked about the time by Guardians' insider Tim Stebbins earlier this week, Hoskins said, "...sometimes you just get dealt a bad hand. Obviously Vaughn was able to do what he was doing. We were winning a ton of games, so I understood. I didn't like it, but I understood where the Brewers were coming from."

Now in a new organization, with a solid chance of making the Guardians' Opening Day roster, Hoskins could have said whatever he wanted about the way the Brewers handled his return from the IL. Instead, he elected to take the high road and voice his understanding of why the Brewers acted the way they did, proving that Hoskins is a pro's pro.

Though the Hoskins era in Milwaukee didn't live up to expectations for either Brewers fans or Hoskins himself, the team still won the NL Central in each of his two years with the Crew. Hoskins' numbers on the statsheet over these last two seasons may not impress, but there's no denying that his veteran leadership was a key factor in the team's overall success.