Smashing Debuts

Yet another rookie masher emerges

WHO'S THE most powerful rookie of them all? Yankees rightfielder Aaron Judge, who had clouted 43 dingers through Sunday, or Dodgers first baseman--outfielder Cody Bellinger, who had clobbered 38? Um, neither. The Phillies have a first baseman--outfielder of their own, Rhys Hoskins, who was called up on Aug. 10 and proceeded to plaster 18 taters in his first 34 games. That's an MLB record, on the way to which Hoskins also set records for the fewest games to reach 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 home runs to start a career. His 34-game barrage of long balls was accompanied by a .314 average and 39 RBIs (also a record). His 1.247 OPS over 147 at bats (including Triple A) has been achieved by only three players: Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Barry Bonds. Here are the previous HR leaders through 34 games.

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

PLAYER	TEAM	YEAR	HRs
Wally Joyner	Angels	1986	13
Mike Jacobs	Mets/Marlins	2005-06	13
Kevin Maas	Yankees	1990	13
Gary Sanchez	Yankees	2015-16	12
Dave Hostetler	Expos/Rangers	1981-82	12
Wally Berger	Red Sox	1930	12
Jose Abreu	White Sox	2014	12
Chris Davis	Rangers	2008	11
Albert Pujols	Cardinals	2001	11
Willie McCovey	Giants	1959	11
Sam Horn	Red Sox	1987	11
Trevor Story	Rockies	2016	11
Shane Spencer	Yankees	1988-89	11
George Scott	Red Sox	1966	11