Otto Kemp was a valuable utility man for the Philadelphia Phillies during his rookie season, providing an extra hand at first, second, and third base while posting a respectable 95 wRC+.
The team asked him to add some outfield work to his repertoire this season, aiming to platoon him with Brandon Marsh in left field. Thus far, it's safe to say the results haven't been kind to Kemp's efforts.
He's only started three games in left field thus far in 2026, but he's looked lost on the grass compared to the dirt. In just 26 innings, he's already been worth -2 Outs Above Average and -3 Defensive Runs Saved, and his latest gaffe against the San Francisco Giants was particularly difficult to watch.
The reactions to this play, naturally, have not leaned in a very pro-Kemp favor. It wasn't the easiest catch in the world (Matt Chapman hit the ball 111.7 mph), but Kemp made the play much harder by breaking in toward the infield before realizing he actually had to backpedal.
He just doesn't seem to have the instincts to survive in the outfield, and the Phillies are in too narrow of a competitive window to continuously give him reps out there.
Phillies may need to rethink Otto Kemp outfield experiment after early returns
If there's any franchise that's willing to put up with poor defensive play in the outfield corners, it's the Phillies. Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber have gotten work in those spots in recent years, bringing in predictably disastrous results with their gloves.
That doesn't mean the trend needs to continue, though. Kemp has lost out on utility infield work to both Edmundo Sosa and Dylan Moore this year, but if he doesn't yet own the skill set to be effective in the outfield, then it's time to move on.
In the team's defense, the concept behind the experiment was sound. Kemp is one of the fastest sprinters in the league and has the wheels to track down fly balls. His middling arm strength is also best hidden in left field, where he can play next to center field dynamo Justin Crawford.
If the goal is to get Kemp in playable shape in left, then send him back to Triple-A where he isn't harming the big-league club. It's fine if he needs more repetitions, but asking him to cover the cavernous grass in Oracle Park isn't exactly the brightest idea Rob Thompson has ever had.
None of this negates Kemp's overall value to the team as a lefty-mashing bench bat, but finding him a permanent defensive home that better suits his skills is in everyone's best interest.