The Philadelphia Phillies' 2025 postseason ended abruptly. Perhaps enough time has passed to move on from those lingering memories of the final play of the NLDS, perhaps not.
However, in baseball, and all sports really, athletes must have a short memory. As spring training approaches both the Phillies and Orion Kerkering, the scapegoat of last season's NLDS, look to move on and get better.
Despite his mental lapse and the addition of some new arms in the bullpen, Kerkering is still a valuable reliever and the Phillies' front office can see that. He will have a pivotal role in the 2026 bullpen.
Phillies 'not interested' in trading Orion Kerkering despite calls this offseason
According to The Athletic's Matt Gelb, teams called the Phillies about Kerkering this winter subscription required), but the front office was "not interested" in dealing the 2022 fifth-round draft pick who had a meteoric rise to the major leagues. He was promoted in September 2023 after playing through each of the organization's minor league levels.
Kerkering was a home-grown player that fans rallied behind. There were some speed bumps along the way, but overall, he had put together a solid 2024 season. To begin the 2025 campaign, he was in line to see some high-leverage relief innings.
Last season, he tossed 60 frames during the regular season while compiling a 3.30 ERA, which was a full run more than his 2024 ERA. Then he took the brunt of the blame in the crippling loss to the eventual World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers.
This offseason has been different for Kerkering, per Gelb, who highlighted what it has been like for the right-hander. He received phone calls and messages of support from current and former players, including former Phillies closer and 2008 World Champion Brad Lidge.
However, Kerkering also knows that what happened to finish off the NLDS will remain with him.
“It’s going to affect me for the rest of my life,” Kerkering said, per Gelb. “No matter where I go. If someone’s going to bring it up, it doesn’t matter if it’s now or in 20 years, they’re going to say some s—.”
Orion Kerkering a big part of Phillies' bullpen plans, now and in the future
Even if that is the case, he has more baseball in him. He knows that and so do the Phillies. Gelb notes that the organization contacted him after they signed right-handed reliever Brad Keller to let him know that he's still an important part of the club's plans for the 2026 season.
According to Gelb, Kerkering has upped his fitness program this offseason and has already spent more than a month in Clearwater. He plans on coming into this season more prepared physically than he had in the past.
For Kerkering, it has to be draining to see and hear about the final play of the Phillies' 2025 season. He has the stuff to be a MLB pitcher, no doubt about that.
With right-handers Jhoan Duran and Keller presumably taking the later innings, Kerkering will have some pressure taken off him as the new campaign begins. This may allow him to settle in and shake off the lingering memory from October.
The 24-year-old reliever will be an important part of the team's bullpen this year and the club's unwillingness to trade him reinforces that notion. Kerkering has a chance to create a new narrative in 2026. With more experience, the confidence of the organization behind him, and a better preparedness he can achieve that.