The Phillies picked a decent-sized spot for relief prospect Orion Kerkering’s major-league debut — the top of the eighth inning in a save situation against the Mets Sunday night.
One, two, three, Kerkering went through the bottom of the Mets’ lineup, retiring Omar Narvaez on a groundball to third before striking out Brett Baty and Rafael Ortega swinging.
The first K was on a back-foot slider to left-handed hitter Baty, who swung at it. Kerkering’s slider is considered one of the best in the minors, and since it’s paired with a 98-99 mph fastball, you can see why the 22-year-old has been so dominant this season, getting four promotion in less than six months.
He made 50 total appearances over five levels and 44 were scoreless, with a 1.48 ERA, 81 strikeouts and 12 walks.
“We knew the stuff was electric and it really was,” manager Rob Thomson said. “The slider is his pitch but you can’t sleep on the fastball either because it’s so good. The only thing about guys coming here is how do they handle this environment? How do they handle the third deck, 40,000 people in stands, the inclination of the city?
“That’s what the reports are, but you don’t know until they get here, and he’s something.”
Kerkering is now in an interesting spot, positioned to help the Phillies’ bullpen in the playoffs as a rookie. Barring disaster, why isn’t he on the playoff roster? He now has a big league arsenal and is on a roll. The decision could come from Kerkering, Yunior Marte or Dylan Covey.
“Just keep doing me because you never know what’s going to happen,” Kerkering said. “Everybody says I have big things in the league so keep believing in it and believe in yourself.”
Kerkering had “seven or eight” family members and friends in attendance at Citizens Bank Park for the unforgettable evening. His father spent the entire top of the eighth inning crying proud papa tears.
“Being here in Philly, probably one of the best feelings ever,” Kerkering said. “We got to hug him and take pictures. It was a terrible moment, it was a real moment. I heard everyone crying. It was good for TV, so I can’t complain.”
All five pitches Kerkering threw to retire Narvaez were sliders. He threw 12 pitches in total – 10 sliders and a pair of fastballs at 99 mph. He said nothing new, that throughout 2023, he mostly threw sliders while mixing in a high-90s heater.
Once he heard his name announced in a big league stadium and the crowd roared, the nerves washed away, Kerkering said.
He was surprised, however, by how enthusiastic the crowd of more than 41,000 was for his first appearance in Philly.
“As loud as the fans are, I don’t think they’ll be cheering that loud or ready and excited for me,” he said. “Everyone trusts me and is ready to go, I couldn’t be more blessed.”