The Cincinnati Reds came up short in their pursuit of Kyle Schwarber, the Middletown native and one of the most coveted power bats on the market. But that doesn’t mean their search for middle-of-the-order pop is over. In fact, if the Reds stay true to form, their next move could circle back to the NL Central - and to a name fans might not have expected: Rhys Hoskins.
Hoskins, once a rising star with the Phillies, has had a bumpy ride the past couple of seasons. After missing all of 2023 due to a major injury, he landed in Milwaukee on a two-year deal that was meant to be a fresh start.
And while his 2024 numbers didn’t jump off the page - a .214 batting average with a .303 OBP and .419 slugging - there were still signs of the old Hoskins in there. He launched 26 home runs and finished in the top 25% of the league in both barrel rate and walk rate, a strong indication that the power and plate discipline are still intact.
In 2025, injuries once again limited his availability, but even in a reduced role, Hoskins managed to go deep 12 times in just 279 at-bats. He posted a .332 OBP and maintained an impressive 11.6% walk rate - numbers that suggest he can still be a productive hitter, especially in a lineup that needs a jolt.
And make no mistake, the Reds need that jolt. Their lineup has talent, but it’s missing that one bat that can flip a game with a single swing.
Schwarber would’ve been that guy. Hoskins, while not quite the same level of threat, brings a similar profile - a patient slugger who can work counts and punish mistakes.
He’s not a long-term solution, but he could be a valuable bridge piece.
This wouldn’t be unfamiliar territory for Cincinnati. The Reds have made a habit of rolling the dice on bounce-back candidates - players with upside who need the right situation to rediscover their form.
Think of it as their version of Moneyball: find value in players others might overlook. That’s exactly what a Hoskins signing would represent - a calculated risk on a proven power bat looking to reestablish himself.
Financially, it likely wouldn’t take much. Hoskins, entering his age-33 season and coming off an injury-marred year, isn’t expected to command more than a one-year deal - potentially in the $6 million range, similar to what Austin Hays made last season. Maybe there’s a team or mutual option attached for 2027, but the price tag should be manageable for a Reds team that’s still building toward contention.
The fit? It’s there, even if the roster isn’t screaming for another first baseman.
With Spencer Steer and Sal Stewart already in the mix, Hoskins wouldn’t need to play every day in the field. He could serve primarily as a designated hitter - the same role Schwarber would’ve filled had he chosen Cincinnati over Philadelphia.
At this point, the Reds aren’t looking for a blockbuster. They’re looking for a bat that can change a game and lengthen the lineup.
Rhys Hoskins might not be the sexiest name on the board, but he checks a lot of boxes: power, patience, and a proven track record of production when healthy. For a team that’s one big swing away from turning the corner, that might be exactly what they need.