TAMPA (www.floridasportsday.com) – Former University of South Florida Bull Orion Kerkering has been named the Philadelphia Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Year, the organization announced on Thursday. Kerkering is the recipient of the 2023 Paul Owens Award, presented annually to the Phillies’ top minor league pitcher.
The Venice, Florida native pitched at South Florida from 2020-22 and was drafted by the Phillies in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Kerkering spent his first two seasons at USF in the bullpen before splitting time in 2022 between the starting rotation and closer role. His wipe-out slider and power arm paid huge dividends for the Bulls in 2021 as the team won the American Athletic Conference Tournament, the Gainesville Regional and advanced to the program’s first-ever NCAA Super Regional.
The 22-year-old began the 2023 season at Low-A Clearwater before earning promotions to High-A Jersey Shore, Double-A Reading and most recently Triple-A Lehigh Valley on September 18th.
Kerkering has logged 49 relief appearances across those stops this season with a 4-1 record, 14 saves, a 1.51 ERA (9 ER/53.2 IP) and a 0.89 WHIP. He has struck out 79 batters and issued just 12 walks while holding opposing hitters to a .186 batting average (36-for-194).
Kerkering, who was promoted to Triple-A on Monday and earned the win on Wednesday in his first appearance, is striking out 13.25 batters per 9.0 innings pitched and has a 38.0 percent strikeout rate compared to a 5.8 percent walk rate. Among minor league pitchers who have thrown at least 50.0 innings, he has allowed the fewest number of runs (9), ranks fourth in ERA and is tied for fourth in WHIP. After being promoted to Double-A on July 6, Kerkering was tied for first in the Eastern League in saves with seven. The Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month in April, Kerkering struck out a career-high five batters on Sept. 13 at Binghamton. Overall, 43 of his 49 outings have been scoreless and he has not allowed a run in his last nine appearances. Kerkering is ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the Phillies organization by MLB.com.
“Orion's performance speaks for itself, but this award was won in the offseason with hard work,” said Preston Mattingly, Phillies director of player development. “Orion committed to improving all aspects of his game and it led to success and stops at all four affiliates. We are proud of the leader he has become and look forward to the bright future ahead.”