Philadelphia Phillies: With Rhys Hoskins injury, what are options at first?

Rhys Hoskins of the Philadelphia Phillies injured his knee making a play on a routine grounder on Thursday afternoon. At first, it didn’t look too bad, but slowing down the video, you see the slight bend in his left knee and it ultimately giving out on him.

You have to watch the video to see the injury itself since it’s a non-contact injury.

At first, maybe it was nothing too crazy for the Philadelphia Phillies first baseman, hoping it was just a sprain or hyperextension. However, the more you watched it, the worse it got. I cringed and grabbed my own knee when I saw this injury.

This is when you knew things were not that easy. The issue was more than something minor. Hopefully Hoskins is going to be okay, but it looks bleak as of right now.

Perhaps the worst part is that Hoskins is on a one-year contract and also seemed to be seeing the ball extremely well. Hoskins also has looked very loose and athletic in the field. Losing Hoskins and not having Bryce Harper still is going to hurt this team, but it just means that someone has to step up.

Here is the entire video from the hit to Hoskins being loaded onto the cart by Kyle Schwarber.

You can see just how much Hoskins means to this team and in that clubhouse.

If this is a long-term injury, what do the Philadelphia Phillies have in house to fill the void left at first base?

Kyle Schwarber

Schwarber would be a good piece to fill in at first base. While he is currently playing outfield, a lot of people forgot he played catcher for the Chicago Cubs early on his career. Schwarber filling at first (which he has done 11 times in his career) would open up an outfield spot for one of three players to play: Jake Cave, Scott Kingery or Edmundo Sosa. All three have been spending time in the outfield and have been batting really well this spring training.

Schwarber will be in the lineup regardless. While he is a good option at first, I am still unsure if he is the best option. Schwarber has been a pretty good left fielder for the Phillies and just plugging the hole wouldn’t be the best option with creating another hole. Still, if it is done, you know Schwarber will do his best at first and skipper Rob Thomson will get 130 percent out of him.

Darick Hall

The 27-year-old has been looking for an opportunity to show that he doesn’t only belong, but that he can stick in the Majors. Hall has made a name for himself in the minor leagues, earning the nickname, “Long Ball Hall.” Hall, when his bat his hot, can slug with the best of them. With a lot of power behind him, he could be a big addition to the lineup until Hoskins comes back.

As for his defense, Hall could be a step up from Hoskins. We know Hoskins struggles in the field and isn’t a top 20 first baseman in the league defensively, but his bat has been what has kept in the league for so long. With Hall, if he can start hitting to get on base as well and taking more walks, he will stick as well. While he has a lot of power and can smash home runs, this lineup needs a guy who can get RBI at a high clip as well.

Alec Bohm

Bohm, listed behind Hoskins on the depth chart, going back to his natural position is always a good move. While he has become a much better third baseman, going back to first might give him a lot of confidence (not that he needs it). There are also a few players who could play third base as well. Edmundo Sosa and Nick Castellanos are two that come to mind with keeping Jake Cave in right field if this move is made.

Watching the way Bohm moves, he could bring a lot of athleticism to that first base side and help a lot of Phillies fans sleep better at night knowing that the first base position is being held down by a good defensive player.

J.T. Realmuto/Garrett Stubbs

This is an interesting one. Having both of your catcher spend time at first and platoon would allow no other position moves and everyone else to stay where they are. This also allows Philadelphia’s catchers time off of their knees and to be able to get a rest from it. Being on your knees for 150-some games is no slack in the regular season and having an off day is important, but being able to keep players and their bats in the lineup would be big.

J.T. Realmuto isn’t getting younger and at some point, you need to preserve those knees. Time at first base is the perfect way to get him both at-bats and playing time. While fatigue might play a factor, I would rather J.T. be tired than not have the ability to use those knees in a few years.