Otto Kemp Focuses on Defensive Skills During Phillies Spring Training

In Clearwater, Florida, during a recent spring training game, Otto Kemp showcased his defensive skills as he made his third start in left field. While pursuing a fly ball, Kemp collided with an advertisement for a beach resort. The ball ultimately reached Justin Crawford in center field, allowing Marlins player Heriberto Hernández to advance to second base. Although the play was not ideal, it provided an opportunity for growth. After the play, Phillies outfield coordinator Paco Figueroa encouraged Kemp, stating, “I’m happy that happened because that’s how you learn. You’ve got to get exposed.”

Position battles are limited in the Phillies camp this year, particularly in left field, where the main question is whether the team will pair a right-handed bat with Brandon Marsh. Kemp, who is concentrating on left field this spring, is in a favorable position to secure that role. Last season, he made 11 appearances in left field at the major league level, despite having played only seven games in that position prior to his debut in June. This spring marks the first time Kemp can focus on left field without the pressures of the regular season or the injuries that plagued him last year.

After fracturing his left kneecap just ten days into his major league career, Kemp also battled arthritis-related pain in his left shoulder. As he struggled with mobility in the infield, he often felt discomfort while attempting to cover ground in the outfield. Following two surgeries, Kemp remarked, “It’s refreshing to have a new engine in the legs.” Figueroa noted that Kemp had been playing while hurt, and his recovery has been impressive.

Currently, Kemp engages in daily work in both the outfield and infield, receiving repetitions at various positions during games. As spring training progresses, he has been dedicating more time to outfield work under Figueroa’s guidance. The coaching staff has been instrumental in managing his workload while ensuring his defensive skills remain sharp. Kemp has participated in three games as a left fielder and one at second base, emphasizing that left field is where he has the most opportunity for improvement.

Figueroa has observed that Kemp sometimes reacts with the instincts of an infielder, which can provide a valuable perspective. Their training has focused on enhancing Kemp’s understanding of outfield dynamics and improving his ability to read the ball off the bat. During batting practice, shagging balls has proven beneficial. “That’s the most realistic you get to the game,” Figueroa explained. “I can hit him fungos all day, but it’s not the same as coming off the bat of a hitter.”

Kemp acknowledged that last season, his reads were a challenge, both at third base and in left field. He believes that concentrating on these skills now will help him approach the game with a more composed mindset compared to the previous year. Despite defensive challenges, Kemp’s batting has been his standout quality, which facilitated his promotion last season when Bryce Harper was placed on the injured list. Kemp’s performance at the plate helped him stay in the majors even after Harper’s return.

The organization has high hopes for the undrafted player who has quickly risen through the minors over the past three seasons. During December’s Winter Meetings, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski remarked on the potential platoon situation in left field. He indicated confidence in pairing Marsh and Kemp, saying, “If you said today that we’re opening the season and that’s what we had and played Marsh and Kemp in left field — I feel very comfortable that’s a productive position for us versus left-handed pitching.”

Kemp’s statistics against left-handed pitching last season were promising, with a batting average of .231, an on-base percentage of .324, and a slugging percentage of .462, resulting in an OPS of .786. Marsh also performed well, hitting .300 with an .838 OPS against right-handed pitchers. While the possibility of platooning remains under consideration, manager Rob Thomson has mentioned other right-handed options, including Johan Rojas and Bryan De La Cruz.

As Kemp continues to develop his skills, he has placed particular emphasis on handling high-velocity pitches, especially those exceeding 95 mph. Last season, he struggled with these fastballs, batting only .191 against 171 such pitches. Yet, he performed better overall against fastballs in the minors, hitting .324.

“I’m a good fastball hitter, and I’ve always been a good fastball hitter,” Kemp stated. “So, I’m just trying to get back to my roots of being on time for velo and really focusing on that.”

As Kemp navigates the complexities of the outfield, he reflects on his experiences and acknowledges the lessons learned. He recognizes the need to improve his awareness of balls approaching the wall and to adjust to the unique conditions of the Clearwater environment. His proactive approach to learning and adapting will be critical as he strives to solidify his role with the Phillies this season.