Otto Kemp
| Otto Kemp | |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Phillies – No. 4 | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: September 9, 1999 Fullerton, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 7, 2025, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Batting average | .234 |
| Home runs | 8 |
| Runs batted in | 28 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| |
Otto Severson Kemp (born September 9, 1999) is an American professional baseball infielder for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025.
Career
[edit]Kemp attended Troy High School in Fullerton, California and played college baseball at Point Loma Nazarene University. During the summer of 2021, he played for the St. Cloud Rox of the Northwoods League, setting a then-record of 58 runs scored in a season, making the 2021 All-Star Game, and contributing to the Rox making the championship game. Kemp signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an undrafted free agent in 2022.[1]
Kemp spent his first professional season with the rookie-level Florida Complex League Phillies and Single-A Clearwater Threshers. He played 2023 with Clearwater and the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws and 2024 with Clearwater, Jersey Shore, the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils and Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.[2] After the 2024 season he played in the Arizona Fall League for the Glendale Desert Dogs.[3] Returning to Triple-A to start the 2025 season, Kemp was named the International League Player of the Month for April, slashing .330/.421/.711 during the month.[4]
On June 7, 2025, Kemp was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time, replacing an injured Bryce Harper, and debuted at third base.[5][6] He was the first undrafted position player to debut with the Phillies since Jeff Grotewold in 1992.[7] On June 9, Kemp recorded his first career hit when hit a single into left field off of pitcher Matthew Boyd in the bottom of the fifth inning. In the same game, Kemp recorded his first multi-hit game with three hits by going 3-for-5 in a Phillies 4-3 victory in extra innings over the Chicago Cubs.[8] On June 27, Kemp recorded his first career home run, a three-run shot off Atlanta Braves starter Bryce Elder in the top of the third inning.[9] He made 62 appearances for Philadelphia during his rookie campaign, batting .234/.298/.411 with eight home runs, 28 RBI, and two stolen bases. On October 17, it was announced that Kemp would require surgeries to repair a fractured kneecap and some damage in his left shoulder.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Kemp's parents are Rob and Diane.[11] He has three siblings, including an older sister who is a life coach.[12] His elder brother Sam also attended and played baseball at Troy.[13] Kemp is married to his wife, Lily.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ Coffey, Alex (July 11, 2024). "Undrafted Otto Kemp Develops Well-Rounded Game for Phillies". Baseball America. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
- ^ Coffey, Alex (November 14, 2024). "Otto Kemp's strong fall league is a 'continuation' of his 2024 season. What's his outlook with the Phillies in 2025?". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
- ^ Borek, Jesse (October 15, 2024). "Undrafted, Philly's No. 28 prospect making name for himself in Fall League". MLB.com. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
- ^ "Otto Kemp Named April International League Player of the Month". MiLB.com. May 5, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ "Phillies place Bryce Harper on IL with wrist inflammation". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 7, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ Casella, Paul (June 7, 2025). "Phils place Harper on IL with same wrist injury as last year". MLB.com. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ SanFilippo, Anthony (June 7, 2025). "Otto Kemp makes Phillies debut After late-night call-up and cross-country family dash". Downbeach.com. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ Casella, Paul (June 10, 2025). "Kemp collects first MLB hit, plays key part in Phils' walk-off win". MLB.com.
- ^ Casella, Paul (June 28, 2025). "Miss home intentionally?! How Turner (briefly) considered getting his 4th cycle". Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ "Phillies Notes: Alvarado, Kemp, Thomson, Calitri". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ^ Casella, Paul (June 7, 2025). "'Completely surreal': Phils prospect Kemp makes MLB debut after late-night callup". MLB.com. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ Housenick, Tom (April 11, 2024). "Resilient Otto Kemp proving Phillies right by taking a chance on him". Times & Suburban. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ "Coming Back Stronger: Otto Kemp's Baseball Journey". Viewpoint. Point Loma Nazarene University. April 15, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ Lauber, Scott (June 7, 2025). "Otto Kemp makes his major league debut with his family in attendance: 'Everybody's pulling for him'". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Baseball Almanac
- 1999 births
- Living people
- Baseball players from Fullerton, California
- Clearwater Threshers players
- Florida Complex League Phillies players
- Glendale Desert Dogs players
- Jersey Shore BlueClaws players
- Lehigh Valley IronPigs players
- Major League Baseball infielders
- Philadelphia Phillies players
- Point Loma Nazarene Sea Lions baseball players
- Reading Fightin Phils players
- St. Cloud Rox players
- Troy High School (California) alumni