Phils, in Dire Need of Bullpen Boost, Turn to Prospect Orion Kerkering

Back in May, Orion Kerkering—a 22-year-old, hard-throwing righty the Phillies selected in the fifth round of last season’s amateur draft—was on the low-A Clearwater Threshers. Today, having played for four of the Phillies’ minor-league teams, he was recalled from triple-A Lehigh Valley, less than two days after being named the Phillies’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

Kerkering spent most of his 2023 season with high-A Jersey Shore and double-A Reading, where he pitched a combined 39 games out of the bullpen. After Reading’s season ended on August 17, he was promoted to the triple-A IronPigs; he spent just four days in Lehigh Valley before being called to the Show.

Bursting on to the scene in 2023, Kerkering impressed with a fastball that sits between 96 and 98 miles per hour, and he also features a vicious slider, which many considered the best slider in minor league baseball. Kerkering has struck out 79 hitters this season, while walking just 12 and holding opponents to a .186 batting average.

And how “vicious” is this slider? Well, in college, he once struck out an opposing hitter on a slider that hit his back foot—and it wasn’t even a check swing.

With a lack of consistency plaguing the Phillies’ bullpen, it’s hard to predict what Kerkering’s role will be. If Rob Thomson continues to trust Craig Kimbrel, Jose Alvarado, and Jeff Hoffman in high-leverage spots as Matt Strahm, Seranthony Dominguez, and Gregory Soto stay slotted in the middle-reliever role, Kerkering will probably start off in the role previously filled by Yunior Marte. However, if his success carries over to the big leagues, he could certainly see some high-leverage spots in the near future, especially if the Phils clinch a playoff spot sooner than later.

Kerkering is set to wear jersey number 50 and will be available out of the bullpen for Friday night’s home game against the New York Mets.