The Milwaukee Brewers called up Andrew Vaughn on July 7 to provide depth after starting first baseman Rhys Hoskins hurt his thumb. Lefty platoon bat Jake Bauers was supposed to help, but he hit the injured list too. Luckily, Vaughn has made their absences a non-issue, slugging a cool .701 since the call-up and collecting 28 RBIs in 22 games. More than just a satisfactory replacement, Vaughn has forced the Brewers to seriously consider who their starting first baseman will be once Hoskins returns. Well, not too seriously. The answer is obvious.
Milwaukee Brewers should not have a difficult decision ahead
Hoskins was having a solid second season in Milwaukee after joining the Brewers in free agency two years ago. In addition to boosting his average, he had also been a much better glove at first. He still supplied solid pop: 12 homeruns and a .186 ISO.
The only problem is, Vaughn has a 1.146 OPS and a higher WAR in one month minus the All-Star break than Hoskins did all season. If he keeps hitting anywhere near his current level, benching him isn’t an option. Despite subpar defense in Chicago, he’s graded out a bit above-average in Milwaukee.
It took some time, but national media is finally giving him his flowers. Speaking on MLB Network, analyst Harold Reynolds elaborated on Vaughn’s transformation from his perspective as an ex-player. That stint in Triple-A Nashville before the call-up must have done Vaughn a world of good, getting him on the right track after a miserable year with the White Sox.
“You start tinkering with things. You start figuring out things. You get the luxury of figuring it out,” Reynolds said. “And if it works, cool. Drop his hands a little bit. You know, there’s no pressure when you get there. You kind of just fill in until Rhys Hoskins gets healthy. And then you don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Vaughn took his chance and ran
For a No. 3 overall pick like Vaughn was in 2019, that lack of expectations could certainly be a liberating factor. However he’s done it, his time in Milwaukee has unlocked something. As the sample size grows, it can’t be dismissed as a fluke or variance. While his current production is unsustainable – one would think – his mechanical improvements seem real.
To that point, Reynolds continued, “But now it’s like, Does Hoskins get his job back?”
For Brewers fans who have had the benefit of the King Vaughn experience, the answer is probably not, unless the latter reverts to his White Sox form. Hoskins should still get at bats, at first base during Vaughn’s day offs, at DH when Christian Yelich plays the field, and as a pinch hitter. But his playing time is bound to decrease.
Anyway, he isn’t due back until late August at best, so there’s plenty of time for circumstances to change. Right now, Hoskins seems poised to assume more of Bauers’ old role than his own former capacity as a starter. If Vaughn is a young Lou Gehrig, Hoskins is the unfortunate Wally Pipp.
“This is how this game goes,” said Reynolds. “The opportunity presented itself, and then he took it and knocked the door completely down.”
For More Great Wisconsin Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
