Otto

Kemp

León will open the regular season back in the minors after going 6-for-26 with three RBI in 16 games this spring. The 27-year-old former top prospect was claimed off waivers from the Astros last November. His departure makes it abundantly clear that Dylan Moore and Otto Kemp will have bench roles with the Phillies to kick off the season.

Kemp’s homer was hit 111.7 mph and the single came in at 111.3 mph, making them the two hardest-hit balls in the game. Both also topped his 2025 MLB high of 111.2 mph, though he did peak at 113.4 mph in Triple-A. Assuming Johan Rojas’s PED suspension is upheld, any chance of Kemp being sent down by the Phillies would seem to be gone. He’ll probably be the team’s left fielder against left-handers.

Kemp was responsible for the game’s two hardest balls in play, with his 109-mph groundout actually eclipsing his 108-mph, 419-foot homer to center. The Phillies currently have two bench spots open for Kemp, Dylan Moore and Johan Rojas, all of whom could platoon against lefties. Kemp has the most interesting bat of the three but also the least defensive value, if that winds up mattering.

Crawford is the favorite to start in center field for the Phillies on Opening Day. He’ll need a strong performance in Grapefruit League action to lock up the spot but he doesn’t have a ton of competition. The 22-year-old former first-round pick batted .334/.411/.452 with seven homers and 46 steals in 112 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this past season. He’ll make a fantasy impact in the stolen base department, but counting on anything beyond that in his first taste of the majors might be too optimistic, especially since he’s likely to bat at the bottom of the order. Here is the full lineup: Crawford (CF), Adolis García (RF), Edmundo Sosa (SS), Otto Kemp (LF), Bryan De La Cruz (DH), Rafael Marchán (C), Dylan Moore (2B), Christian Cairo (3B) and Keaton Anthony (1B).

No real significant changes for the Phillies as they kick off a best-of-five series against the Dodgers with the exception that they will carry both Otto Kemp and Weston Wilson as additional bench depth.

Kemp got the Phillies on the board as he ambushed left-hander David Peterson in the fourth inning, crushing a first-pitch slider for a 433-foot (107.1 mph EV) two-run shot. Kemp then tied the game at four runs apiece with his run-scoring double off of Reed Garrett in the sixth inning that plated Nick Castellanos. The 26-year-old slugger is now hitting .241/.311/.405 with six long balls, 22 RBI and two stolen bases in 177 plate appearances with the Phillies this season. He should continue to see regular action for as long as Alec Bohm (shoulder) is sidelined.

That’s a pretty nice 26th birthday for Kemp, who was recalled Monday when Trea Turner and Alec Bohm went on the IL. He should be a lineup fixture until Bohm returns, making him an option in deeper formats.

Kemp is at the hot corner and batting ninth on Monday night against the Mets. The 25-year-old rookie will take over as Philadelphia’s primary third baseman down the home stretch with Alec Bohm on the shelf with a shoulder injury. He batted .228/.298/.359 with four homers and one steal in 46 games during his first opportunity at the highest level earlier this season.

Hard not to assume that Trea Turner is going on the IL with his hamstring strain. Unless someone else is hurt, too, Garrett Stubbs might also be out of a job because of Turner’s injury, as the Phillies probably figure having an extra infielder is more important than a third catcher now.

Kemp showed some flashes as a potential utility specialist at the highest level this season, batting .228/.298/.359 with four homers and one steal in 46 games during his first opportunity at the highest level. The 25-year-old rookie should have an opportunity to compete for a bench role in spring training.