The Philadelphia Phillies are 8-11 to begin the season, and if things deteriorate much further, Rob Thomson’s job may be in jeopardy.
Jhoan Duran, the Phillies’ star closer, is on the injured list as part of the team’s roster changes announced on Saturday. It’s horrible news for the Phillies, who don’t require it.
However, while not diminishing the agony of losing Duran, the Phillies are making a very intriguing promotion to the major leagues, swapping right-handed slugging outfielder Felix Reyes for Otto Kemp.
Phillies dump Otto Kemp and promote Felix Reyes to MLB debut
Prior to tonight’s game against the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies announced the following roster changes: Infielder/outfielder Felix Reyes’ contract was picked up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and he will wear No. 29. Infielder/outfielder Otto Kemp was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
The Phillies are demoting Kemp to Triple-A following his dreadful start to the season as a righty-hitting platoon outfielder. He was batting . 100 with a . 282 OPS in 20 at-bats. The Phillies had seen enough and made a change.
The Phillies will now turn to Reyes instead than Kemp. Since the 2021 season, the 25-year-old outfielder prospect has played in the minor leagues. And he is now ready to make his Major League debut.
This season in the minors, he has had a tremendous start. Reyes is batting . 333 with a. 999 OPS through 18 games and 81 at-bats, which is a respectable sample size.
So far this season, he has 27 hits, eight doubles, six home runs, 15 RBIs, 12 runs scored, two walks, and 17 strikeouts.
While there may be some worry about his strikeout rate in comparison to his walk rate, the right-handed hitting slugger is precisely what the Phillies’ lineup requires.
They’ve been struggling against left-handed pitching, and Reyes, a right-handed power hitter, should be able to help the offense as he takes over left field, most likely as the platoon outfielder with Brandon Marsh.
Kemp’s problems were too serious to overlook, but Reyes’ success in the minor leagues was something the Phillies needed to take a chance on.
While the Duran story is heartbreaking, Reyes’ promotion to make his MLB debut is a pleasant one. He might be a good hitter in the Majors against left-handed pitching, which the Phillies sorely need right now.
