Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson provided some insight as to how they will manage first base moving forward, now that Buddy Kennedy has joined the team.
Kennedy, 26, was soon to be available to the 29 other teams in Major League Baseball due to an upward mobility clause in his contract. Given the dilemma, the Phillies opted to call Kennedy up and give Weston Wilson more time on the field in AAA Lehigh Valley.
Thomson’s Plans
The Phillies plan to use Kennedy at first base, particularly against left-handed pitching. With left-hander David Peterson slated to pitch on Sunday for the New York Mets, Kennedy will likely get his first start of the season. Kennedy has been putting up a strong .283 average and .835 OPS with Lehigh Valley. He was named the International League Hitter of the Month in May.
Kennedy getting starts at first base brings up an obvious question: What about Otto Kemp? The breakout prospect was the International League Player of the Month for April and has performed well since being called up to the majors. Kemp will continue to get action at first base but may also get time in left field to keep him in the lineup.
Kemp had only seen the outfield in seven games this year for Lehigh Valley, spending most of his reps in the infield, where the projected need could be for the Phillies. Now that they are shifting him into the outfield, however, Thomson has given Kemp his vote of confidence.
“Now that we’ve made the switch,” said Thomson. “I feel comfortable with him because I’ve seen him get out there more. And he works diligently at it for a BP. It looks like he takes good routes. He sees the ball off the bat.”
Kemp, who led the International League with 14 home runs upon being called up, has yet to go out at the Major League level. He has contributed at the plate, batting .282, having scored six runs and batting in four in 39 at-bats.
“He’s made a huge impact for us,” said Bryce Harper on Kemp before Friday’s opener against the Mets. “I thought he got his first homer yesterday. I would have liked to see that. But, you know, I think he’s been swinging the bat well. I think he’s played a good third base and a good first base as well. He’s a guy that can, you know, do that for us and play multiple positions.”
Speaking of Harper
Speaking of Bryce Harper, the Phillies’ cornerstone first baseman continues to progress in his rehab. Wearing a wrist brace today, Harper participated in pre-game infield-outfield drills and took some dry swings along with swings off a tee before Friday’s contest.
While there is no timeline on Harper’s return, Thomson was adamant on Friday that Harper would not require a rehab assignment. Harper specified that the main prescription for his wrist injury has been rest. Given that Harper dealt with a similar wrist issue in 2024, there looms some concern that Harper may deal with this problem again.
“It’s the first day swinging a bat, so I just got to see how it feels tomorrow, see if we can progress,” said Harper. “And then once we do, then I’ll ramp up and see where I am.”
When Harper returns from the Injured List, Kennedy will likely be the odd man out. Kemp will then join the likes of Max Kepler, Johan Rojas, and Brandon Marsh in finding playing time out of the outfield.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
