IronPigs' 20th anniversary series: Meneses, Hopkins, Wilson had memorable seasons in east Allentown
Eighth in a series. The Morning Call will look at what the last 20 years have been like for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and their ballpark, and what could be ahead.
When things went south for the IronPigs in 2017, Rhys Hoskins was at his locker. Every time to represent, to explain, to offer up no excuses.
Things never went south for Hoskins in 2017. He slashed .284/.385/.581 with 24 doubles, four triples, 29 home runs, 91 RBIs, 78 runs and 64 walks compared to only 75 strikeouts.
Hoskins was the International League MVP, leading the IL in slugging percentage, on-base percentage and OPS. He did all that in 115 games.
“He only had one season with the IronPigs,” PhillyBaseballInsider.com’s Chuck Hixson said, “but it was one of the best seasons a player has ever had with them.”
By mid-August, Hoskins was doing similar things in Philadelphia. He hit 18 home runs, walked 37 times and drove in 48 during his 50-game stint that year with the Phillies.
His 2017 season arguably the best by an IronPigs position player.
For that, he is the fifth player who should be among those considered when the IronPigs, who are celebrating in 2027 their 20th year of existence, announce a wall of fame similar to what the Phillies have at Citizens Bank Park.
Darick Hall, Rich Thompson, Andy Tracy and Pedro Beato were previously featured as others who had stellar performances while calling Coca-Cola Park home.
Hoskins’ leadership role continued when he went to Philadelphia. He was the spokesperson there through the 2022 season, his last in the organization, when things went well or didn’t. He was always at his locker during media availability before or after games.
“He carried over what he had done the previous season in Reading.” Service Electric broadcaster Steve Degler said. “The stretch he had just before he was called up to Philadelphia is one of the most impressive in IronPigs history. And on top of all that, he is just a classy person.”
There were several other memorable individual seasons at Coca-Cola Park.
Joey Meneses, who never got a call-up to the Phillies, followed up Hoskins’ season with a stellar one in 2018. The outfielder/first baseman slashed .311/.360/.510 with 27 doubles, a triple, 23 home runs, 75 runs and 82 RBIs to earn IL MVP honors. He led the league that season in home runs, RBIs, hits, total bases and slugging percentage.
“He basically came out of nowhere to be the best player in the league in 2018,” Degler said. “He delivered so many important hits on the way to the division title, and he nearly won the Triple Crown.”
Weston Wilson, who also was a stellar defender, had a standout 2023 season. He slashed .259/.363/.515 with 19 doubles, three triples, 31 home runs, 32 stolen bases, 75 walks, 86 RBIs and 90 runs in 125 games. He is the franchise’s only 30-30 player (home runs and stolen bases).
The utility player hit a home run in his first major league at-bat that season for the Phillies, then spent parts of the next two seasons with the IronPigs and Phils. He’s currently in the majors with the Mariners.
Wilson’s home runs in 2023 are the most in a single season by an IronPig. So, too, are his 90 runs scored. He’s fourth in single-season RBIs, walks and stolen bases.
Justin Crawford had a memorable Triple-A year in 2025, thanks to a single-season record .334 batting average along with 88 runs, 79 walks and 46 stolen bases, all second in IronPigs annals, plus 147 hits — which is third. His average and run total were tops in the IL last year. He scored a run in a franchise-record 14 games in a row and has the mark for highest on-base percentage (.411).
Left-handed pitcher Cole Irvin led the IL in wins (14), winning percentage (.778), ERA (2.57) and WHIP (1.05) during a stellar 2018 season. He won a franchise-mark seven starts in a row. His 131 strikeouts that year are second to J.A. Happ’s 146.
Senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com
Lehigh Valley IronPigs panelists
The following panel made their picks for those most worthy of IronPigs wall of fame status as the franchise prepares for its 20th anniversary in 2027 (listed alphabetically):
Cory Chryst, game cast operator since 2008
Steve Degler, Service Electric broadcaster since 2009
Doug Heater, Service Electric broadcaster since 2010
Chuck Hixson, PhillyBaseballInsider.com since 2008
Tom Housenick, Morning Call beat writer since 2015
Kurt Landes, IronPigs president/GM since 2006
Dick (Shooter) Shute, official scorer since 2011
Mike Zambelli, Service Electric broadcaster since 2008
Top 10 IronPigs as voted on by the panel (listed alphabetically)
Pedro Beato
Justin Crawford
Darick Hall
Rhys Hoskins
Scott Mathieson
Joey Meneses
Brandon Moss
Rich Thompson
Andy Tracy
Weston Wilson
Next-best 10 (alphabetically)
David Buchanan
Drew Carpenter
Mike Cervenak
Tom Eshelman
Cole Irvin
Scott Kingery
Cam Perkins
Darin Ruf
Jake Thompson
Mitch Walding
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