Three years ago Orion Kerkering, who started his season at Single A, debuted for the Phillies in September and then pitched for them in October. Back then, Kerkering’s future projected to take place in the back of the Phillies’ bullpen for years. Now, there are questions about whether he’ll remain in the organization that drafted him in the fifth round in 2022.
After a good first-half (2.43 ERA) this season, Kerkering’s second half was filled with struggles (9.43 ERA). In late September, the Phillies had seen enough. They demoted Kerkering to Triple A on Sept. 20. That’s where he stayed. The Phillies did not roster him for their wild-card matchup against the Braves.
Kerkering struggled with walks for most of the season. He posted a career-high 12.7 percent walk rate. At times, it appeared impossible for him to throw a strike. He allowed opponents to hit .297/.409/.451 in the second half. In four September appearances, he allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on nine hits.
In his three full seasons in the majors, Kerkering has regressed in each of them. His ERA has jumped year-to-year. So has his walk rate and OPS against. His strikeout rate has dropped each season.
There are pros to keeping Kerkering. He’s arbitration eligible for the first time this winter, meaning he has three more years of club control. He has multiple minor league options left. He has stuff. But given how the last two seasons have ended for him, it’s not crazy to think the Phillies look to move on this offseason.
What should the club do?
Here’s part five of Phillies Nation’s Stay or Go series. Vote in our poll below the article.
Past editions:
Destiny Lugardo — Site Director: Stay
The Phillies are not in position to give away optionable MLB relievers. Kerkering, after his end-of-year struggles, is no longer penciled in as a leverage reliever. If he’s not traded, he may not make the Opening Day roster. But I think it’s worth it for the Phillies to keep him, let him work on things in the minor leagues and use him as an up-and-down arm.
Ty Daubert — Editorial Director: Go
Kerkering had the worst year of his young career in 2026, with a disaster second half counteracting his solid early performance and causing him to be demoted. The 25-year-old’s career numbers are still quite good as he’s posted a 3.47 ERA in 198 appearances. At the same time, he hasn’t fully lived up to the billing of a perennial lights-out reliever or future closer. With the stuff he possesses, it will always be tempting to try him in high-leverage situations. But if another club is willing to offer something of value for him, it probably makes sense to make a deal and look for more of a sure thing for the back of the bullpen.
Bailey Digh — Staff Writer: Go
The Phillies would be selling low in trading Kerkering, but I think it’s time to move him. I think the Phillies feel the same. Dave Dombrowski did not mention the right-hander last week when talking about who he likes in the bullpen. Only until he was asked specifically about Kerkering did Dombrowski talk about him; the veteran front office executive did not sound super confident in him. Kerkering is a depth reliever where things currently stand. The Phillies should be able to find others to fill that role. It feels like Kerkering never re-finds himself in Philadelphia if he stays.
Nathan Ackerman — Staff Writer: Go
It’s time. It could’ve been time after the 2025 NLDS, but I don’t think the Phillies were necessarily wrong in seeing if he could bounce back. To his credit, he did, pitching well in the first half before everything fell apart in the second. Kerkering’s confidence looks in shambles, and while the Phillies don’t exactly have a surplus in the bullpen, watching Alex McFarlane get highwire, high-leverage outs late in the season as a 25-year-old righty naturally made you think of everything Kerkering isn’t, at least in Philadelphia. There’s a good pitcher in there, but he needs a change of scenery.
