Orion Kerkering Emerges as Key Reliever for Philadelphia Phillies
Orion Kerkering faced the formidable Blue Jays lineup, his signature sweeper not quite up to par. The first pitch to Bo Bichette revealed a struggle; the pitch that had propelled him to the majors was absent.
At 24, Kerkering embodies a blend of youth and maturity, having learned to adapt quickly. "I'm not dwindling on 'Oh [expletive], I don't have it,'" he stated, reflecting a mindset shift. "It's more of 'OK, it's not there today. What can I do to get off hitters?'"
With a sinker, he induced a groundout from Bichette. However, against Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the situation intensified. The count reached 3-0 in a tie game during the eighth inning. Kerkering's response? A bold declaration: "I'm gonna blow it by you and see what happens." He embraced the challenge, ready to face whatever came next.
Guerrero swung and missed at a 98 mph fastball, resulting in a pop-out to first baseman Otto Kemp. Two outs down, Alejandro Kirk stepped up, but Kerkering's sweeper still eluded him.
After shaking off J.T. Realmuto, Kerkering threw three consecutive sinkers, bringing the count from 2-0 to 3-2. His approach remained consistent: "Here's the fastball, hit it." The result? Guerrero struck out swinging, marking a flawless inning against three hitters with a combined seven All-Star selections.
Confidence radiates from Kerkering, who has become the most dependable reliever in a struggling Phillies bullpen. "It's a mindset," said Phillies manager Rob Thomson. "Trust your stuff. Go get them."
April was rocky for Kerkering, with a 6.52 ERA as he adjusted to high-leverage situations after the departures of Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez. Yet, he remained unfazed about his position on the team.
"Every day is a new day," Kerkering remarked. "You're not as good yesterday as you are today." This philosophy has propelled him from a challenging start to an impressive turnaround, boasting a 0.56 ERA since May 1.
In an 18-game stretch, he has thrown 16 innings, striking out 14 while allowing only three inherited runners to score. Opponents are hitting just .149 against him.
"I'm just trusting (my stuff) more," he explained, emphasizing simplicity over perfection.
Since his rapid ascent through the minor leagues in 2023, Kerkering has maintained connections with mentors like Hoffman, who now plays for the Blue Jays. "Trust yourself. Do what you think is right," he advises.
Even without Hoffman in the clubhouse, Kerkering finds support from teammates like Matt Strahm, who acts as an older brother figure. "If you get off the tracks, just tap me back in," Kerkering said, acknowledging Strahm's role in keeping him grounded.
Thomson noted that mental resilience is crucial for pitchers facing adversity. "They start thinking about too many other things instead of tunneling their thoughts during that zone," he said.
The Phillies' faith in Kerkering is evident as they place him in high-pressure situations. He has risen to the occasion, proving himself against top-tier hitters.
"Even if you don't have the best stuff, it's just the confidence they have," Kerkering stated. The organization recognizes his potential and commitment to succeed.
Kerkering's journey reflects his growth and determination; even with potential bullpen additions at the trade deadline, his role is secure. He has earned their trust through hard work and resilience.
