Otto Kemp, a 25-year old infielder from Fullerton, Calif. got his call up to the Major Leagues on Saturday, highlighting a series of transactions for the Philadelphia Phillies. Kemp joins the team after first baseman Bryce Harper was put on the 10-day Injured List with inflammation in his right-wrist. Additionally, right-hander Alan Rangel was returned to Lehigh Valley while right-hander Daniel Robert was recalled.
The Phillies make these moves following Friday night’s walk-off loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Phillies (37-26) are on a three-game losing streak and have lost seven of their last eight contests.
The best-kemp secret in baseball?
Ottok Kemp graduated from NCAA Division II Point Loma Nazarene University out of San Diego. After going undrafted in the 2022 MLB draft, Kemp received a call from the Phillies to exchange the green and gold of the Point Loma Sea Lions for the red pinstripes of the Philadelphia Phillies.
“I still remember that Draft Day,” Kemp said to Jesse Borek of MLB.com last October. “That was a tough day but I’m forever gonna be thankful for the Phillies and them for giving me this opportunity. To them, honestly, thank you for giving me a shot.”
In two seasons at AAA, Kemp has batted .297 with a .944 OPS over 70 games. Currently, Kemp leads the International League with 14 home runs and 55 RBI on the season.
The utility infielder has primarily played third base throughout his career, and will likely get the hot corner during his time up with the Phillies. Alec Bohm, meanwhile, will most likely shift to first base. Kemp has played some first and second base as well.
What Phillies fans will most likely be interested in, however, is that Kemp was beginning to get some work done in left field for Lehigh Valley. With Nick Castellanos being the exception, the Phillies’ contingent of outfielders has fallen short thus far in 2025. Left fielders have combined to bat .209 on the year while center field has not faired much better at .224.
Per Philadelphia Sports Network’s Kyle Fisher, Phillies’ manager Rob Thomson has been asked about Kemp’s performance in the outfield in the beginning of May.
“Average, you know,” said Thomson. “I think he’s more suited to play the infield, but I wouldn’t be hesitant to move him to the outfield either.”
Should Kemp prove himself at the plate, he just might find himself a starting job in the outfield when Bryce Harper returns.
Checking in on the MV3
For a while now, Bryce Harper has been nursing a bad right wrist though he has mostly been able to play through it. Recently, Harper did miss five games after taking a fastball to the elbow courtesy of Spencer Strider. Since returning, Harper has gone 1-for-10 at the plate with a solo home run, two runs scored, and two walks.
After missing Friday night’s contest with the Pirates, the Phillies decided it was time to put Harper on the Injured List. The IL stint, retroactive to June 6, should give Harper the time required to let the inflammation go down. Assuming a minimal stay on the IL, Harper will return on June 16 and would have missed 14 of the Phillies’ previous 17 games.
Swapping out bullpen pieces
Alan Rangel made his MLB debut on Friday against the Pirates, throwing three innings while allowing two runs on three hits and one walk. Playing a key part in working through a bullpen game, Rangel will now return to the Iron Pigs as the Phillies rotate back up Daniel Robert.
Robert, 30, is back for his third stint with the Phillies on the year. He owns a 4.26 lifetime ERA but has only pitched 0.2 innings for the Phillies thus far. After recording a strikeout against his sole batter on May 14, Robert walked three batters and allowed one hit and one run scored against the Pirates on May 16.
Back to action on Saturday
The Phillies will seek to avoid losing their third straight series on Saturday as they face off against the Pirates in game two of their three-game series. Ranger Suárez will go against Andrew Heaney in the 4:05 P.M. afternoon affair.
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
