Hoskins excited for Derby, second-half push

Aguilar vs. Hoskins in HR Derby BALTIMORE -- When it was announced Wednesday that Rhys Hoskins was among the eight contestants for the Monday's T-Mobile Home Run Derby, the outfielder got a text that made him feel nostalgic. It was from a member of his host family back during Rookie ball congratulating him on the honor.

Hoskins remembers being huddled around a television with his host family watching baseball's stars effortlessly launch home runs out of the park in the Home Run Derby, hoping -- praying -- that one day he could so the same.

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Hoskins -- a childhood Giants fan -- remembers the countless times over the years he's replayed Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire going…