Not even a fractured kneecap could stop Otto Kemp’s rookie run with the Phillies
The Phillies are already looking ahead to 2026, and it sounds like Otto Kemp is a big part of those plans… once he recovers from two offseason surgeries.
According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Kemp will undergo surgery to repair a fracture in his left kneecap and another procedure to clean out his left shoulder. The injuries trace back to June 17, when Kemp fouled a ball off his knee, chipping a piece of bone off the cap.
Somehow, he only missed one game and played through the pain for the rest of the season. He also dealt with a shoulder issue, though it’s unclear when that injury occurred.
Otto Kemp played through a fractured knee cap which happened just 10-days after Phillies debut
Even with those setbacks, Otto Kemp still flashed potential.
He slashed .234/.298/.411 with eight home runs and two steals over 62 games in the majors, while dominating at Triple-A Lehigh Valley with a .987 OPS, 16 home runs, and 13 stolen bases.
The Phillies reportedly remain “bullish” on Otto Kemp and see him as more than a bench player, though his exact role for 2026 is still taking shape.
During his postseason press conference, Dave Dombrowski confirmed that Otto Kemp is in line for a much bigger role next season.
Dave Dombrowski on Otto Kemp
“I think Otto Kemp has a chance to be an everyday player,” Dombrowski said. “He has thump in his bat and can play a couple different positions.”
That’s a telling quote considering how much turnover could be coming to the Phillies’ roster. Veterans like Max Kepler, Ranger Suárez, J.T. Realmuto, Harrison Bader, and Kyle Schwarber are all free agents. Meanwhile, Nick Castellanos and Alec Bohm could be trade candidates this winter.
If either is moved, Otto Kemp could find himself stepping into one of those vacated roles, potentially in the outfield if Castellanos and company are dealt or third base if Bohm is moved.
Nick Castellanos is expected to be traded or released by the Phillies this offseason
Kemp saved his best baseball for the end of the year. After being sent back down to Triple-A in August, he returned to the majors in September, hitting .250 with an .856 OPS in his final 16 games. That stretch included four doubles and four home runs, providing some much-needed offense down the stretch as the Phillies clinched the NL East.
Against the Mets, Royals, and Dodgers, Kemp went off with a .370 average and a 1.160 OPS in eight games. Those are the clutch performances that caught the front office’s attention.
The 26-year-old’s versatility makes him even more intriguing. Kemp made starts at third base (31 games), first base (17), left field (11), and even second base (2) in 2025. For a team looking to get younger, faster, and more flexible, that kind of adaptability is gold.
His rookie-year numbers, flashing 46 hits, 8 homers, 22 doubles, and 28 RBIs, don’t jump off the page, but the idea of Otto Kemp was definitely on full display. If he improves his on-base percentage and continues to show power, he could be one of the biggest internal boosts for a roster that badly needs one.
Otto Kemp played through pain, bounced between the majors and Triple-A, and still managed to end 2025 on a high note. The Phillies clearly believe in his upside, and Dombrowski’s comments make it clear he’s more than just a utility piece.
Kemp is young, controllable, and plays with the kind of grit that Philly fans love. If his offseason surgeries go smoothly, don’t be surprised if he’s starting somewhere on Opening Day 2026.
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