Report: Phillies’ Up-and-Coming Player’s Spot on the Roster Is “Not Guaranteed”
The Philadelphia Phillies’ budding ace reliever will need to prove he deserves a spot on the roster, even with some concerns about their bullpen
The Philadelphia Phillies’ roster in 2024 will largely look the same as it did last season. After doing a great job of building this team, there were very little tweaks that needed to take place.
They needed to keep another ace in their rotation alongside Zack Wheeler, and they were able to accomplish that by re-signing Aaron Nola.
With Craig Kimbrel departing in free agency, bullpen questions and needs started to arise after 23 saves, 69 innings and an All-Star performer left the relief staff
In 2024, it was anticipated that their budding star, Orion Kerkering, would join the team in a back-end capacity, but according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, that may not be the case.
“[He] is not guaranteed a spot on the Phillies’ Opening Day roster, but it would be absolutely surprising if he did not earn one,” he states.
The 22-year-old experienced a spectacular ascent in 2023, making his way from Single-A to the major leagues and playing in postseason games.
During the regular season, Kerkering pitched in three games and three innings for the Phillies, striking out six batters while giving up just one earned run on three hits.
He was brilliant early in the postseason, going 3 games with no hits and a 0.00 ERA against the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves. However, he faltered in the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving up six hits and two earned runs in 2 1/3 innings thrown.
If he isn’t a key member of the bullpen this season and isn’t included on the Opening Day roster, that would be startling.
He is obviously needed in this team, but as Zolecki notes, there are essentially just five relievers who are committed to 2024.
If he isn’t a key member of the bullpen this season and isn’t included on the Opening Day roster, that would be startling.
He is obviously needed in this team, but as Zolecki notes, there are essentially just five relievers who are committed to 2024.
Philadelphia’s culture has always valued competition, so perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that he must earn his place.
Would they actually start him in the minors, though, if he struggles in Spring Training?
That sounds implausible, especially in light of manager Rob Thomson’s remarks, “He’s way up on my list as far as his talent level and where he stands in that bullpen.”
Thus, throughout Spring Training, it will be important to keep an eye on Kerkering’s performance to see if he merits a position on the Opening Day roster.
