Love It: Rhys Hoskins is back in Philly, knows he’s the enemy, wants the Brewers to win this weekend

Rhys Hoskins is back in Philadelphia this weekend — and while he’s still a fan favorite around these parts, the man knows the drill.

“I definitely don’t expect an ovation, I’m an enemy now, that’s just the reality of it,” Hoskins said before the start of the Brewers-Phillies series. “And because of that, I hope the Brewers win.”

He’s joking. Kind of.

Rhys Hoskins already had his emotional return last season, when he homered off Zack Wheeler in his first game back at Citizens Bank Park and soaked in standing ovations all weekend. This time around? It’s business.

For the Brewers (29-28) — and Rhys Hoskins — things are going pretty well.

Now two years removed from that brutal ACL tear in Spring Training 2023, Hoskins looks locked in. He enters the weekend hitting .282/.384/.459, with an improved approach that’s focusing more on contact than pure slug.

“Second year coming back from a major injury I just think has been completely different,” he said. “I’ve learned that time is your best friend in that regard. I’m getting to play every day and I’ve just found a nice rhythm. So far, so good.”

And don’t think for a second the Phillies aren’t circling him in the scouting meetings this weekend. He’s been one of Milwaukee’s best bats so far, and you know he’ll have some extra juice facing his old teammates again.

Of course, the memories here run deep. Hoskins was one of the guys who helped drag the Phillies out of the rebuild years and into contention alongside Aaron Nola. He produced one of the iconic moments of the 2022 playoff run — the three-run bomb off Spencer Strider in Game 3 of the NLDS, complete with the now-legendary bat slam.

“I’m excited. I love Rhys,” said Rob Thomson. “He was a great Phillie, represented himself and the organization so well when he was here. Big part of that World Series team. I think the world of him.”

Off the field, Hoskins and his wife Jayme wasted no time getting back into their old Philly favorites — Mighty Bread in the morning, Suraya in Fishtown for dinner Thursday night.

“The reality is I spent a good chunk of my life here, I lived here for three years,” Hoskins said. “Yesterday getting to spend a little bit of an off day here was amazing in that regard. Super fun for us, obviously with a seven-month old too, we get to tell her about all the things and places we used to go. Just a fun day.”

One thing he might miss this weekend? Bryce Harper at first base. Harper is still sidelined — out again Friday — and the updates on his elbow remain, well… murky. He hasn’t swung since taking that 95 mph fastball off the elbow Tuesday, and he described himself as “super day-to-day.”

Read More on Bryce Harper Here >>

That said — it’ll be great to have Hoskins back at The Bank. And as Harper put it himself:

“Obviously he’s one of my favorites so it’s always fun to have him back at The Bank. So many good memories with this organization and this fanbase too, I expect people to be excited that he’s back. He gets The Bank on a Friday night.”

Yep. Let’s just hope we’re not giving him too warm of a welcome if he starts launching balls into the seats again. And let’s really hope the Phillies figure out what’s going on with Harper before this weekend is over.

If not, Rhys Hoskins should be a target at the trade deadline.

Contract Year: Rhys Hoskins is quietly becoming a complete hitter in Milwaukee