Rhys Hoskins gave hope Brewers won’t regret his deal after revenge game vs. Mets

There are going to be a ton of eyes on Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins all year long in 2025. The long-time veteran is looking to prove that he belongs on the Brewers after electing to forgo the option in his deal that could've allowed the 2024 season to be his only in Milwaukee.

It was obvious from the start that Hoskins was going to pass on opting out, but now it's time for him to prove to the Brewers and their fans that the club made the right choice in the first place to sign him after he was coming off of a season completely lost to injury.

In Sunday's spring training contest against the New York Mets, Hoskins slugged his third home run of the spring against a team that he's got a long and checkered history with. Obviously he was a long-time member of the Philadelphia Phillies, so he's seen a ton of the Mets over the years, but his feud with Jeff McNeil in particular last year could have some lingering effects as we move into 2025.

It's entirely possible that this ball still has not landed.

Rhys Hoskins looks to prove he belongs on the Brewers with red-hot spring

In his first four games of the spring, Hoskins has four hits and three of them are solo home runs. He's also drawn four walks and struck out only twice. Sure, it's only been a few games, but he's off to a solid start in his bounce-back campaign.

Last year, the seven-year vet was a negative-WAR player for the first time as a big leaguer. In 131 games, he hit 26 home runs and drove in 82 runs, yet he finished the season with a -0.2 bWAR to go with a .722 OPS and 98 OPS+ that all left a lot to be desired.

Now, he's preparing for year number two in a Brewers uniform. The club tried (and failed) to trade him this past offseason, and it seems that they're ready to accept that he's the primary first baseman moving forward. Another year of 25+ home runs and 80+ RBI will do just fine, but he'll have to prove that he can be more than a hitter who only hits home runs and nothing else.

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