Phillies' Rising Star Reportedly 'Not Guaranteed' Spot on Roster
The Philadelphia Phillies' roster in 2024 will largely look the same as it did last season. After doing a great job of building this team, there were very little tweaks that needed to take place.
They needed to keep another ace in their rotation alongside Zack Wheeler, and they were able to accomplish that by re-signing Aaron Nola.
With Craig Kimbrel departing in free agency, bullpen questions and needs started to arise after 23 saves, 69 innings and an All-Star performer left the relief staff.
It was expected that their rising star, Orion Kerkering, would slot into some sort of back-end role with the team in 2024, however, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports that might not be the case.
"[He] is not guaranteed a spot on the Phillies’ Opening Day roster, but it would be absolutely surprising if he did not earn one," he writes.
The 22-year-old had a meteoric rise in 2023, working his way from starting in Single-A to the big leagues, appearing in games throughout the playoffs.
Kerkering pitched in three games and three innings for the Phillies during the regular season, allowing only one earned run on three hits and striking out six batters.
He was lights out to start the playoffs, posting a 0.00 ERA and only one hit in three appearances against the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves, but he struggled against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS to the tune of allowing six hits and two earned runs over 2 1/3 innings pitched.
It would be shocking if he's not on the Opening Day roster and playing a huge role in the bullpen this season.
There's a clear need for him within this unit, but Zolecki points out there's really only five relievers locked into roles for 2024.
Competition has been a major part of Philadelphia's culture, so maybe it shouldn't be surprising to hear he has to earn his spot.
But, if he struggles in Spring Training, would they really start him in the minors?
That seems unlikely, especially given the comments from manager Rob Thomson where he said, "He's way up on my list as far as his talent level and where he stands in that bullpen."
So, Kerkering's performance will be one to monitor throughout Spring Training to see if he earns his spot on the Opening Day roster.
