PHILADELPHIA – On a gorgeous Wednesday morning in an empty Citizens Bank Park, Otto Kemp was hard at work.
The utility man spent time working on his glove work at second base, fielding ground balls with Don Mattingly anchoring first base. Shortly after, he was in shallow centerfield working on his fly ball routes.
All in a day's work for the second year Phillie who is serving as the second half of the left field platoon alongside Brandon Marsh while also being versatile enough to play three different infield positions.
But learning the outfield has been a journey for the natural infielder and hasn’t come without some trial and error. Like the game on March 29 where he struggled with a pair of doubles off that wall that seemed to give him trouble.
Yet Kemp remains upbeat about his development.
“I feel like I’ve come a long way since last year in terms of comfort out there. I’m feeling good,” Kemp said of his outfield experience.
Kemp has been leaning on his fellow outfield teammates to continue to grow at the position.
“All of the outfielders honestly, especially Marsh just because we’re working a little bit closer together. He’s really good to bounce ideas off of and just watch how he goes about his business.”
The 26-year-old is part of a young trio including Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter who manager Rob Thomson believes can infuse energy into a club laden with veterans.
Painter certainly provided plenty of buzz on Tuesday night with his dazzling debut to force the rubber game Wednesday afternoon after tossing 5 ⅓ innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts.
Crawford is off to a 4-for-12 start at the plate.
Kemp and Crawford opened up the 2025 season together in Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
“I know he will be able to help this team win baseball games. I’m excited for Philadelphia to see what this kid can do because it’s going to be really special overall in a full season,” Kemp said of the 22-year-old centerfielder.
Kemp echoed the sentiment of his skipper.
“I totally agree. I think we just provide energy, a desire to learn and desire to want these guys to teach us,” Kemp said.
“I think it allows for these veterans to be even more veterans and teach us. When they see things, they tell us and I think that helps them continue to keep their energy and stay on top of things, too.”
As for Kemp, he has played in three of the first five games this season with two being starts, but continues to stay ready for when his name is called serving as the team’s Swiss Army Knife.
