A new face is about to step onto the big-league stage for the Phillies. Otto Kemp, ranked as the No. 25 prospect in the organization, is expected to make his MLB debut in the coming days after having his contract selected from Triple-A.
The move, however, comes with a caveat. Kemp’s promotion only became necessary due to Bryce Harper landing on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 6) with inflammation in his right wrist, as announced by the team on social media. Harper, who played last Wednesday and Thursday, went hitless in his last eight at-bats with five strikeouts — a sign he clearly wasn’t playing at full strength.
So while Phillies fans can look forward to seeing an exciting young player finally get his shot, it comes at the cost of losing their superstar, even if temporarily. This is one of those moments that’s both thrilling and frustrating. The hope, of course, is that Harper’s IL stint is brief.
Kemp, meanwhile, has worked his way up through every level of the Phillies’ farm system — from rookie ball all the way to Triple-A. Now 25 years old, he’s showing exactly why he deserves the call-up.
In 57 Triple-A games this season, Kemp has put up eye-popping numbers: a .317 batting average, over a 1.000 OPS, 14 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. He’s got that coveted blend of power and speed, and his gritty, hard-nosed vibe already makes him feel like a perfect match for Philly — the kind of guy you could imagine running a corner deli in South Philly.
It’s a tough break with Harper sidelined, but Phillies fans may be getting a glimpse of the next homegrown fan favorite.
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