The Kid from Millville will finally be wearing a Philadelphia Phillies uniform

In the lead up to the Philadelphia Phillies playing overseas in the MLB London Series against the New York Mets, they announced that they would be acquiring infielder Buddy Kennedy after he was designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers for cash. 

Kennedy will go on the 40-man roster and provide the Phillies with minor league depth in the infield. Why Kennedy is on the 40-man roster over Scott Kingery is something I’m trying extremely hard not to freak out about given the fact that Kennedy is from Millville, New Jersey. 

Buddy Kennedy: THE Kid from Millville 

The Phillies acquired infielder Buddy Kennedy, who had been designated for assignment by Detroit, for cash. He goes on the 40-man roster. Minor-league depth. Millville kid.

— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) June 7, 2024

Kennedy was drafted in the fifth round of the 2017 MLB Draft (142 Overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

In 117 at-bats at the Major League level, he’s hit just .205 with a .610 OPS – including two home runs, 17 RBI, and 13 runs scored. The majority of his playing time came in 2022 – where he appeared in 30 games for the D-Backs (83 At-Bats) and hit a homer to go along with a two doubles and two triples. That season, Buddy Kennedy hit .217 with a .612 OPS. 

Most recently, he was a member of the Detroit Tigers – appearing in six games this season at the major league level. Kennedy hit .200 with an .808 OPS, including a home and 4 RBI. 

Buddy Kennedy 2-Run Home Run

Buddy Kennedy extends the Tigers lead with a two-run blast in the 3rd. Dan Dickerson on the call #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/dwDSkr59yU

— Dan Dickerson Calls📞 (@dannydHRs) April 21, 2024

Buddy Kennedy's clutch at-bat ties the game at 4 #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/KKYY5Dq935

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) April 25, 2024

Kennedy is now with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. In 141 at-bats this season at the minor league level, Kennedy has hit three home runs with 14 RBI and two stolen bases, batting .234 with a .714 OPS. 

Much like fellow Millville, New Jersey native Mike Trout, Buddy Kennedy is a big Philadelphia Eagles fan. 

Phillies Buddy Kennedy: Go Birds

ITS GAME DAY LETS GOOOOOO!!! #FlyEaglesFly

— Buddy Kennedy (@KennedyBuddy) February 12, 2023

While he may not be “THE Kid from Millville” – he’s now ours and I think we could all agree that having Kennedy as the Phillies’ representative from Millville instead of Mike Trout, the best baseball player in the world (when healthy) is pretty hilarious. 

A @MikeTrout protege? @MLBDraft prospect Buddy Kennedy calls the @MLB ⭐️ & fellow Millville Bolt his idol & friend: https://t.co/4dojyXF9yP pic.twitter.com/FxT8qxgKZa

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 8, 2017

Side Note: Not sure what’s happening in Millville. I really only know it exists because of Trout and the fact that I drive through that every weekend when I’m heading down the shore but god damn, that’s two baseball players that have made it to the show. Not ready to declare Millville a “baseball town” but we’re getting pretty close. 

Anyways, Kennedy is only 25 and while the Phillies are pretty set on infielders, you never know when he’ll get a call up to The Show. 

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