The Milwaukee Brewers have been one of the hottest offensive teams in baseball over the past week, pounding opposing pitchers with production up and down the lineup. Stars like Christian Yelich, Isaac Collins, and Jackson Chourio have all chipped in during this hot streak, while Joey Ortiz had a breakout moment of his own, slugging two home runs in a single game — the first multi-homer performance of his career.
At first base, Rhys Hoskins has found his rhythm after a quiet start to the month. Though he had struggled earlier in June, Hoskins has begun heating up, hitting two home runs over the past week. Now in his second season with Milwaukee, he has raised his batting average by 30 points compared to last year, gradually resembling the impact player he was during his time with the Philadelphia Phillies before a torn ACL cost him the entire 2023 campaign. He currently slots into the cleanup spot and remains one of the Brewers’ most trusted run producers.
Surprisingly, despite his recent resurgence and value to the team, Hoskins has appeared on ESPN’s list of potential trade candidates, compiled by insiders Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan. While the list doesn’t predict trades with certainty, it does highlight players drawing interest from other teams. Hoskins is listed at No. 33, suggesting he holds appeal to contenders seeking right-handed power and first base help.
And for good reason: the 32-year-old slugger has hit 12 home runs, driven in 40 runs over 249 at-bats, and boasts a solid .245/.339/.434 slash line. His home run total ranks sixth among MLB first basemen, and his plate discipline and ability to hit for power make him an attractive midseason addition.
However, from the Brewers’ perspective, entertaining the idea of trading him doesn’t quite make sense. Hoskins isn’t just a hot bat — he’s a crucial part of Milwaukee’s lineup, offering stability in the heart of the order. While it’s understandable that rival teams are inquiring, Milwaukee is firmly in the playoff race and shouldn’t be looking to subtract key players. At 44-36, they currently hold the third NL Wild Card spot and trail the division-leading Cubs by just 2.5 games.
If the Brewers make any deals at the deadline, they should act as buyers, not sellers. Fringe pieces like Jake Bauers, whose name has quietly circulated in trade talk, would make more sense to move than an everyday impact bat like Hoskins. Unless the team hits a major slump, dealing Hoskins would send the wrong message to both the clubhouse and the fanbase.
With the offense clicking and the standings within reach, Milwaukee’s focus should be on adding reinforcements, not cashing in assets. Hoskins might be a popular name on the market — but he’s far more valuable where he is.
