The Philadelphia Phillies received some unfortunate news as Rhys Hoskins suffered a torn ACL during a game against the Detroit Tigers.
While the team awaits a clearer prognosis, it's likely that Hoskins will miss the entire 2023 season. With this major injury, the Phillies must look for a replacement to fill Hoskins' void in the lineup.
Here are the top three options that the team should consider.
Rhys Hoskins replacement options
#1 Rotate between Darick Hall and Alec Bohm
Darick Hall is a potential replacement for Rhys Hoskins due to his power, which has been evident throughout his minor league career, hitting 126 home runs in 660 games. In his rookie season in 2022, Hall homered nine times in 41 games.
However, Hall's struggle against left-handed pitching could be a cause for concern, collecting just one hit in 12 at-bats against southpaws.
A potential solution to this problem is to platoon Hall with another infielder when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. Alec Bohm could move to first base, which would create playing time for Edmundo Sosa at the hot corner.
The Phillies could also give Harper some time at first base when he returns from elbow surgery, which he has some experience in.
#2 Garrett Cooper
The team could find a logical replacement for Rhys Hoskins in Garrett Cooper, the Miami Marlins' first baseman. Cooper has a lifetime .274/.348/.440 batting average with an average of 18 home runs per 162 games. He has experience at first base and in right field, making him a valuable asset beyond just replacing Hoskins.
The challenge for the Phillies would be getting a fair price on Cooper from the Marlins. They have no desperation to trade him, and the Phillies may have to overpay for him.
Cooper would give the Phillies a right-handed hitter, adding balance to a lineup dominated by lefties.
#3 Miguel Sanó or Luke Voit
Miguel Sanó, formerly of the Twins, is a possible right-handed candidate to replace Hoskins. While Sanó missed most of last season due to his own knee problems, he is a reasonable candidate to be the right-handed half of a first-base platoon with Hall.
Luke Voit, another right-handed bat, could pair with Hall or man the position daily. Voit has an upcoming opt-out in his minor-league contract with the Brewers, making him an option for the Phillies.
While it's uncertain which option the Phillies will take, they must find a solution soon. The team has invested heavily in contention in recent years, and they can't afford to let Rhys Hoskins' lost production hinder their chances of success.
Whether it's an internal solution or a trade, the Phillies must act quickly to find a replacement for Rhys Hoskins.