Monday, July 07

Welcome to the latest edition of the Phillies Beat Newsletter. This version was written by Paul Casella, who has been based in Philadelphia since 2019 and covers the team alongside Todd Zolecki.

PITTSBURGH -- The Phillies plan to get a good look at Otto Kemp in the coming days -- and it won't be solely at third base.

Kemp has started at third -- his primary position -- in each of his first two big league games, but don't be surprised if the club's No. 24 prospect starts to move around a bit as he gets settled.

"We're going to get him some work at first, some more work in the outfield," manager Rob Thomson said. "But [to start], I just want to play him at the place he's most comfortable with, and then we'll keep moving forward."

Prior to Saturday's promotion, Kemp had mostly played third base (33 starts) with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, though he also logged time at second (10 starts), first (seven starts) and left field (seven starts).

"I probably have the most games [at third base], especially in college and pro ball, so I feel most comfortable there, I would say," Kemp said. "But I'm always down for whatever's going to keep me in the lineup."

And that's exactly what Thomson is hoping to do.

Asked if he plans to play Kemp every day during Bryce Harper's absence, Thomson said: "I think most of the time, yeah -- but we'll see."

Along with the ability to play either corner infield spot, Kemp is expected to continue getting reps in left field, where he played approximately once per week with Lehigh Valley.

"I've felt pretty good," Kemp said of his time in left field. "We're getting a little bit of work in on the side and just trying to get comfortable. ... There are a couple of plays we're still working on that are getting more and more comfortable as I go, but it's just the game reps that you need and tracking the ball off the bat.”

Thomson said the reports on Kemp’s outfield work from Lehigh Valley were “probably average.”

It remains to be seen when, or if, the Phillies will give Kemp a legitimate look in left field. They've experimented with using Edmundo Sosa in the outfield at various times over the past couple years, but it's never stuck -- and his one and only start there this season didn’t go very well.

The Phillies are searching for answers, though.

Entering Sunday, Philadelphia's left fielders were hitting .204 (27th in MLB) with a .672 OPS (21st in MLB). Now, over the past couple of seasons, the Phils were willing to sacrifice offense for above-average defense from their outfielders, but that hasn't been the case this season. Their left fielders have accounted for -5 Outs Above Average -- only the Giants, White Sox, A's and Reds have fewer.

The Phillies have been operating with a pair of outfield platoons: Max Kepler and Weston Wilson in left, and Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas in center.

"Somebody has to play out there,” Thomson said when asked if he plans to continue platooning. “I still have trust in them that they're going to hit and it's just a matter of time, but we've got to get going."

Kemp may not provide a lift defensively, but he’s done plenty of hitting over the past year.

Last season, Kemp hit well enough with High-A Jersey Shore to earn a promotion to Double-A Reading, where he kept raking. He then really put on a show in the Arizona Fall League, racking up six home runs, 22 RBIs and a 1.194 OPS in 15 games.

This year, he slashed .313/.416/.594 (1.010 OPS) with 14 home runs, 55 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 55 games at Triple-A. He also had a .362/.493/.759 line against southpaws -- good for a 1.252 OPS.

"He's had a great year," Thomson said. "I saw him in the [Arizona] Fall League and his at-bats in the Fall League were tremendous as well.”

Of course, Minor League success does not always translate to the Major Leagues – a fact that is certainly not lost on a guy who has had to prove himself at every turn.

The 25-year-old Kemp went undrafted out of Division II Point Loma Nazarene University just three years ago, but he has impressed at every level after the Phils brought him aboard on a Minor League deal.

"Coming from a D-II [school], there were a lot of hurdles with that," Kemp said. "The level of play -- I didn't know what Division I level of play was, but you always have that stigma. There's a reason why there's a lot more Division I ballplayers taken [in the Draft].

"So I think there was a little bit of a mental hurdle that I had to get past, and still I'm working through, but I'm better at controlling it and channeling it in a certain way."

It’s unclear how long Harper will be sidelined, but Kemp will certainly have a chance to open some eyes in the meantime -- especially if he expands on his versatility.

Kyle Schwarber hit his 20th homer of the season on Saturday in the team's 64th game. Who was the last Phillies player to reach the 20-homer plateau in fewer than 65 team games?

A. Bryce Harper
B. Raúl Ibañez
C. Ryan Howard
D. Domonic Brown

Kyle Schwarber and his wife, Paige, will host their annual Block Party on Wednesday at Yards Brewing Co. The sold-out event is a “Schwarber’s Neighborhood Heroes” benefit that supports and honors local first responders and military personnel, as well as their families.

It’s a deeply personal cause to Schwarber, whose dad is a retired police chief, his mom was a police dispatcher and his sister currently works in the local police department.

Wednesday’s event is the culmination of year-round efforts that include working with countless organizations in the Philadelphia area to provide needed support to local families, as well as special outings and Phillies experiences at Citizens Bank Park.

“It’s just really rewarding when you can have your event and feel like you’re really making a difference,” Schwarber said. “Because when you get to meet everyone -- whether it’s at the ballpark when we have our meet-and-greets or I go out and meet with people in their line of work -- and you hear their stories and the things they’re going through and they tell you about the impact you’re having on them and their families, it means a lot to us.”

For those who were unable to secure tickets, the event also includes an online auction that runs through June 11 and includes one-of-a-kind experiences, sports memorabilia and collectibles, ranging from Phillies and Eagles gear to a Taylor Swift autographed guitar.

The event itself will feature live music, food and plenty of Schwarber’s teammates, who will make the trip over following that afternoon’s game against the Cubs at CBP.

“It's huge when you’re able to have the support of your team behind you,” Schwarber said. “It’s just one big family we have, and everyone here always supports family.”

B. Raúl Ibañez

In 2009, Ibañez needed only 56 games to reach 20 homers on his way to hitting a career-best 34 in his debut season with the Phils. Aside from Ibañez and Schwarber, the only other Phillies since 2000 to hit 20 homers in the first 65 games of a season are Chase Utley (2008), Ryan Howard (2006) and Jim Thome (2004).

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