Phillies prospect Orion Kerkering is already showing off his closer potential

It’s never too early to start reviewing positions and how they could be filled with a new face from the minor leagues. After all, this is the whole point of having that system in place. Draft and develop young talent to become a future players with the big-league team.

There has been plenty of buzz surrounding RHP Orion Kerkering. He was promoted last week to the Phillies’ High-A team, the Jersey Shore Blue Claws. He earned this promotion after pitching in nine games, 10.1 innings, one win, and four saves. He was able to produce 18 strikeouts with no walks and only one hit batter. His ERA during this stint in Clearwater, Fla., was 0.00. 

Phillies prospect Orion Kerkering was drafted in 2022

The Phillies drafted Kerkering out of the fifth round of last year’s MLB Draft. He tried his arm as a starting pitcher during his final year in college with the USF Bulls. However, he has been more effective as a relief pitcher. His fast is consistently in the upper-90s and has been able to hit 100 on the radar gun. Combine that with a change-up in the mid-80s and the slider will keep the batter off balance and guessing what is coming next.

Right now, he is listed as the Philadelphia Phillies' No. 21 prospect. He will have plenty of time to develop and make his way to the big leagues at some point. The 22-year-old fireballer has an ETA (Expected to Arrive) date in 2025 according to the Phillies’ Prospect Rankings.

Time will tell if Kerkering will get his opportunity to be the Phillies’ future closer. However, keep his name fresh in your brain and track his progress to see if gets that shot when the time comes.