The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired infielder Buddy Kennedy in a trade with the Detroit Tigers, bringing more depth into their farm system.
Phillies acquire Buddy Kennedy from Detroit
The Phillies will send cash considerations to the Tigers in exchange for the 25-year-old Kennedy, who was designated for assignment and will head to the Triple-A level to play with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The Millville, New Jersey native was drafted in the fifth round by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017 before hitting waivers a few times and ending up with Detroit prior to the start of the 2024 season.
Kennedy has appeared in six games for the Tigers this season and played 40 for Arizona over the prior two seasons. His slash line of .205/.294/.316 over 136 plate appearances in the big leagues doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence but his ability to play second and third base and his track record in the minor leagues makes him worth taking a closer look at.
Over three years and 233 games at the Triple-A level, Kennedy sports an OPS of .804, a slash line of .277/.389/.415, 115 RBIs, 234 hits, 5o0 doubles, 11 triples, 15 home runs, and a 14.6 percent walk rate compared to a 19.2 percent strikeout rate. His on-base percentage across other levels of the minor leagues has been over .340, too. Although his power was more apparent in lower levels, his consistency in avoiding outs continues to shine.
Kennedy’s grandfather, Don Money, played the first five years of his 16-year MLB career with the Phillies from 1968 to 1972. An infielder who played mostly shortstop and third base but also played second base and left field, Money posted a .674 OPS with 200 RBI and 42 home runs with Philadelphia before becoming an All-Star with the Milwaukee Brewers. The trade for Kennedy was announced on Money’s 77th birthday.
After minor-leaguer Jose Rodriguez was suspended for one season by MLB for gambling on games, the Phillies had an open spot on their 40-man roster. Kennedy will fill that spot and look to establish himself in the Philadelphia organization.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
