Latest news with #Kerkering
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phillies Bullpen Sends Strong Message to Orion Kerkering Amid Early Struggles
Phillies Bullpen Sends Strong Message to Orion Kerkering Amid Early Struggles originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Phillies have had a bullpen issue all season long. It's mainly been apparent with the departure of Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Esteves, leaving Orion Kerkering and Jordan Romano as the only high-leverage right-handed relievers. Advertisement Through the beginning of the year, Kerkering hasn't had his best stuff. He flashed in 2024 but has struggled to begin the 2025 season. Despite that, his past and present teammates in the bullpen express their belief in Kerkering's stuff. In an article on The Athletic from Charlotte Varnes, which detailed Kerkering's early-season struggles and growth, multiple Phillies relievers came forward with praise for the 24-year-old reliever. "Everybody in here," Tanner Banks said, "top to bottom, trusts you. Your stuff's unbelievable. Anybody in here would kill to have your stuff. ... Chin up." Banks, amid his own 2025 resurgence, had simple and high praise for Kerkering. Saying that the bullpen would all love to have Kerkering's stuff is one of the best compliments a pitcher can get. Banks wasn't the only one with high praise for Kerkering. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering (50) throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Hartline-Imagn Images "Orion is doing what Orion does," said Hoffman. "He's going to be good for a long time." Advertisement Part of Kerkering's early-season struggles stemmed from his signature pitch, his sweeper, getting hit more often. Fellow reliever Matt Strahm explained why the sweeper wasn't working as well. "Strahm said Kerkering has one of the best pitches in baseball," Varnes wrote. "Hitters are just adjusting to him after two-plus years in the big leagues." As with many players, once there is ample tape available, they tend to regress. Baseball is especially susceptible to such instances, mainly for pitchers. Kerkering's sweeper, which lost almost two inches of run at the start of the season, wasn't as effective. Combined with more tape on his stuff, it's no surprise he was hit more often. But, after a 6.52 ERA April, Kerkering has turned things around, lowering his season ERA to 3.09. Since the beginning of May, Kerkering has had a 0.79 ERA. He hasn't allowed an earned run since May 6th. Advertisement Despite his early-season struggles, Kerkering's teammates believed in him and his stuff. With a tightly contested National League East, the Phillies will need Kerkering to continue to thrive. After a dominant May, his teammates' belief in him has come to fruition, and Kerkering has found his groove again. Related: Phillies' Jesus Luzardo Makes Unfortunate MLB History Related: Phillies Get Major Mets News After New York's Horrible Francisco Lindor Injury Update This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will Phillies Orion Kerkering Keep Up Dominant Start to Career?
It's almost impossible for a rookie to feel like an All-Star snub, but Orion Kerkering found a way to do it for the Philadelphia Phillies. While his club sent an MLB high seven representatives (eight with a substitute) to Arlington last summer, he and his pre-break 1.26 ERA were not one of them. Other than hitting a short rough patch with the rest of the team, Kerkering was phenomenal out of the Philly bullpen. He finished the season with their third-lowest ERA, behind Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman, and racked up 74 strikeouts in 63 innings. Add on the six he had as a late 2023 callup and Kerkering is well within striking distance of 100 early this season. Advertisement He would be the fastest Phillie to that mark since Seranthony Domínguez did it in 78.2 innings between 2018-19. Aug 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering (50) throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Streicher-Imagn Images Philly is putting a lot of faith in Kerkering, who only turns 24 next week. The club let the aforementioned Hoffman leave in free agency, and while they brought in former Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano, there's a wide-open setup spot to fill. A small sample size says Kerkering is the perfect man for the job. He allowed only one earned run and struck out 14 while pitching in the eighth inning last season. His 14 holds were right behind Hoffman (21) and Strahm (18). Then while most of the bullpen faltered against the New York Mets in last year's NLDS, Kerkering again gave up just one run and picked up five Ks in 3.2 innings. Advertisement If that level of pitching continues, Philly will have gotten tremendous value out of their former 5th round pick... perhaps even enough to help them finish the fight for a World Series Championship. Related: Phillies Milestones To Watch for in 2025
