Philadelphia Phillies Rookie Could Be Next Franchise Cornerstone

This Philadelphia Phillies rookie has the potential to be the kind of player that could make a big impression on the franchise.

If you think of the Philadelphia Phillies you think of a player like third baseman Mike Schmidt. He spent his entire career with the Phillies and he ended up in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

He is the definition of a cornerstone player, one that you immediately associate with the franchise and one that led them to success, including a World Series.

Every franchise is looking for a cornerstone player and when you find one, you have to lock him up.

That’s what the Kansas City Royals believe shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is. The young star is already off to a fantastic start, and this week the franchise made him their highest-paid player ever with an 11-year deal worth more than $250 million.

The Phillies have spent money this season, handing $172 million to pitcher Aaron Nola. But he’s 30, albeit with plenty of time to make his imprint on the franchise.

So which player could be the Phillies’ future cornerstone? Or at least the closest thing?

Well, MLB.com set out to find out, as they uncovered a budding franchise cornerstone for every team in MLB (I mean, aside from the Royals).

There were two criteria. First, the player had to be 25 years old or younger. Second, that player must have already made his MLB debut, unless it’s a minor league player under a long-term deal, such as Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio.

MLB.com admitted that, at this time, the Phillies don’t have many players that fit the criteria. But the one they chose made quite the impression on Phillies fans last season — reliever Orion Kerkering.

On opening day he will be just 22 years old, but last September he earned a call-up and helped the Phillies out of the bullpen during the postseason.

In the regular season he pitched just three innings, but he went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA. In the postseason he pitched 5.1 innings and had a 3.38 ERA.

Based on the criteria, for now, Kerkering is the choice.