Round 2 of Otto Kemp has been incredible
The Phillies are about to clinch the NL East, and while Schwarber, Harper, and Bader keep carrying the load, the round two version of Otto Kemp has turned into a guy that the Phillies have to think about for October.
The Ottoman KEMPire Strikes Back
Otto Kemp doubled off the wall Saturday night in an 8-6 win over the Royals, part of a two-hit game that extended his hot streak since returning from Triple-A.
He’s now 9-for-21 with three doubles, two homers, and a near-.900 OPS in just six games back with the big club. The Phillies won all six of those, and his bat has been right in the middle of it.
Credit Rob Thomson for the Reset That Worked
Otto Kemp’s first stint in the majors this summer was… fine. Not awful, but not enough to guarantee him a spot when Alec Bohm got healthy. He pressed for power, chased a little too much, and wound up back in Lehigh Valley.
Instead of sulking, he reset. He figured out what pitches he could actually damage, got “stubborn” in his approach, and started hammering the ball again.
Now he looks like a different hitter, one that’s confident, patient, and punishing mistakes. He’s not adjusting to velocity anymore and continues to take what’s given to him.
The Otto Kemp Postseason Question
Alec Bohm’s coming back, Trea Turner’s expected to be ready for October, and Brandon Marsh is locked in as the lefty in left. That leaves one potential opening as a righty platoon bat who can move around the diamond if needed.
The Phillies are basically choosing between Kemp and Weston Wilson.
Wilson has the experience, especially in the outfield. Kemp has the hot bat and better splits against lefties this year (.897 OPS vs. LHP compared to Wilson’s .618). Neither is a defensive wizard, but Otto Kemp is making it tough to ignore him at the plate.
It’s no secret that any postseason roster decisions depend on matchups but if the season ended today, Otto Kemp looks like the hot hand you ride into October.
Otto Kemp’s Incredible Rise to The Show
Undrafted in 2022, Kemp has managed to grind his way through the minors to earn his shot. He struggled and was sent back down to Lehigh Valley to get right, and now the resurgence has him on the brink of playing October baseball in South Philly.
That’s the kind of underdog arc that fits this city like a glove.
Kemp knows what’s at stake. He’s not out here campaigning for a roster spot. He’s soaking up the fact that the Phillies are on the brink of clinching the NL East and doing whatever is asked of him over the final month of the regular season.
The Phillies are stacked enough to win without Otto Kemp but the way he’s swinging it right now is what sneaks into October. If and when that happens, don’t be surprised if he ends up delivering the kind of big, unexpected moment that postseason runs are built on.
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