The Phillies’ unheralded prospect continues to assert himself in the Arizona Fall League — that’s from here

With the 2024 Philadelphia Phillies season now in the books, the wait is now for the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees to wrap up their World Series games and for the Phillies’ offseason program to officially begin. With little more than minor league transactions keeping die-hard baseball fans sated right now, any news regarding Arizona’s Fall League prospects is a welcome sight.

The Phillies sent 10 prospects to play in the AFL this fall, with top prospect Andrew Painter’s progress following his recent return to the mound after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023 currently stealing all the headlines. And rightfully so. The Phillies’ No. 2 prospect looked impressive and, more importantly, returned to lighting up radar guns with his fastball, which at times touched 100 miles per hour.

But Painter isn’t the only Phillies prospect to have a strong showing in Arizona. Glendale Desert Dog teammate Tristan Garnett showed why MLB Pipeline recently named the tall southpaw one of the biggest sleepers to watch in the AFL this year.

Now, another prospect is starting to generate some well-earned buzz this week after a recent power surge.

Phillies shortstop Otto Kemp continues to pitch in the Arizona Fall League

Otto Kemp was signed by the Phillies as an undrafted minor league free agent in 2022 after failing to interest MLB teams on draft night. Like fellow undrafted player and Glendale teammate Tristan Garnett, Kemp never let his ease affect his skills on the field. The 25-year-old was a late-season addition to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after posting strong results primarily at Double-A Reading. He is currently ranked #28 in the Phillies’ system.

After hitting .285 with 16 home runs and 66 RBI, in addition to 20 stolen bases in four minor league games this season, the Phillies opted to send Kemp for more development in the AFL this year. All Kemp did during his time with the Desert Dogs was rake, hitting .292 with seven hits, four home runs and 12 RBI in 24 at-bats before Friday’s games.

Kemp’s scorching bat stole the show Thursday when he connected on two home runs: a 109.9 mph grand slam that traveled 448 feet in the third inning and a solo shot in the fifth that put Glendale up 5- 0 over Salt River Rafters. Kemp was just a one-man crew in the 9-6 win at Glendale.

Kemp has some versatility in the outfield that could make him an attractive call-up option in 2025 after playing third base, second base, first base and right field at various points this season. The odds remain long that Kemp will join the Phillies anytime soon with the current roster set in stone and his top prospect Aidan Miller not far behind in the development process, but Kemp looks the part of a player the Phillies can count on , if the team faces injuries next season.

Have the Phillies found a diamond in the rough with Otto Kemp?

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