Orion Kerkering #50

Richard Orion Kerkering (pronounced oh-RYE-un KURR-kurr-ing)…Attended University of South Florida…2019 graduate of Venice High School (Fla.)…Hobbies: Golf and playing video games… Signed by: Bryce Harman.

2024

Appeared in 64 games (two starts), 50 of which were scoreless (78.1%) in his first full MLB season...Posted a 4.63 SO/BB ratio (17 BB, 74 SO) which ranked ninth among all NL relievers (min. 60.0 IP)...Per Statcast, finished in the 92nd percentile in ground ball rate (54.4%) and fastball velocity (97.2)...Allowed five of his 16 total ER on the season in 2.0 IP over a three-game span from 7/19-24 and had a 1.62 ERA (11 ER, 61.0 IP) in his other 61 games...Ended the season striking out 29 of his final 87 BF (33.3% SO rate) and posted a 1.65 ERA (3 ER, 16.1 IP) over his final 17 appearances...Began the year on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain; made four scoreless appearances (4.1 IP) while on rehab assignments with Clearwater (A) and Lehigh Valley (AAA)...Made his season debut on 4/14 vs PIT after being reinstated from the IL prior to the game...Began the season with six scoreless appearances (6.2 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 SO)...Posted a career-best 9.0-inning scoreless streak from 5/22-6/8 and matched it with a second 9.0-inning streak from 6/24-7/14...Made two starts for the Phillies – the first starts of his professional career – 7/14 vs OAK (1.0 IP) and 8/3 at SEA (1.0 IP)...Posted 14 consecutive appearances (14.0 IP) without an ER from 8/20-9/20...Appeared in all four games of the NLDS against NYM; allowed one earned run on four hits with two walks and five strike outs.

2023

Was the recipient of the Paul Owens Award, presented annually to the Phillies’ top Minor League pitcher...Appeared in five levels of the Phillies organization, including making his ML debut on 9/24 vs NYM...Began the year with Clearwater (A) and was promoted to Jersey Shore (A) on 5/9, Reading (AA) on 7/6 and Lehigh Valley (AAA) on 9/18...In the Minor Leagues, combined to go 4-1, 14 SV, 15 SVO, 1.51 ERA (9 ER, 53.2 IP), 12 BB, 79 SO, 38.0% SO rate, 5.8% BB rate in 49 games (208 BF)...Was T-1st in saves (4) in the Florida State League during his time with Clearwater...Was T-1st in saves (7) in the Eastern League during his time with Reading...Among Minor League pitchers with 50.0 IP, allowed the fewest number of runs (9), ranked fourth in ERA and fifth in WHIP (0.89)...Named a Baseball America Minor League All-Star and MiLB Organization All-Star and named to the MiLB Awards All-MiLB Prospect First Team...Had his contract selected from Lehigh Valley on 9/22 and fanned Brett Baty for his first ML SO in his debut on 9/24 vs NYM...Recorded his first ML win vs PIT on 9/27 after working a scoreless seventh inning...Became the first Phillies player since Aaron Nola in 2015 to make his ML debut in the very next season after being drafted...Appeared in all three rounds of the postseason for the Phillies (NLWCS, NLDS, NLCS)...Went 0-0 with two holds, one BS, 3.38 ERA (2 ER, 5.1 IP), seven hits, three BB and five SO in seven postseason games...Became the second-youngest Phillies player to pitch in a playoff game (NLWCS Game 2, 10/4 vs MIA) at 22 years and 183 days (youngest: Marty Bystrom, 22 years and 78 days in 1980)...Started his postseason career with four scoreless appearances (4.0 IP) and did not allow a run in five of his seven playoff outings.

2022

Began professional career with Florida Complex League Phillies (R), making pro debut on 8/20 at FCL Tigers...Promoted to Clearwater on 8/24...Participated in Florida Instructional League