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Phillies Bullpen Sends Strong Message to Orion Kerkering Amid Early Struggles

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 12:50 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies have had a bullpen issue all season long. It's mainly been apparent with the departure of Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Esteves, leaving Orion Kerkering and Jordan Romano as the only high-leverage right-handed relievers.

Through the beginning of the year, Kerkering hasn't had his best stuff. He flashed in 2024 but has struggled to begin the 2025 season. Despite that, his past and present teammates in the bullpen express their belief in Kerkering's stuff.

In an article on The Athletic from Charlotte Varnes, which detailed Kerkering's early-season struggles and growth, multiple Phillies relievers came forward with praise for the 24-year-old reliever.

"Everybody in here," Tanner Banks said, "top to bottom, trusts you. Your stuff's unbelievable. Anybody in here would kill to have your stuff. ... Chin up."

Banks, amid his own 2025 resurgence, had simple and high praise for Kerkering. Saying that the bullpen would all love to have Kerkering's stuff is one of the best compliments a pitcher can get. Banks wasn't the only one with high praise for Kerkering.

"Orion is doing what Orion does," said Hoffman. "He's going to be good for a long time."

Part of Kerkering's early-season struggles stemmed from his signature pitch, his sweeper, getting hit more often. Fellow reliever Matt Strahm explained why the sweeper wasn't working as well.

"Strahm said Kerkering has one of the best pitches in baseball," Varnes wrote. "Hitters are just adjusting to him after two-plus years in the big leagues."

As with many players, once there is ample tape available, they tend to regress. Baseball is especially susceptible to such instances, mainly for pitchers. Kerkering's sweeper, which lost almost two inches of run at the start of the season, wasn't as effective. Combined with more tape on his stuff, it's no surprise he was hit more often.

But, after a 6.52 ERA April, Kerkering has turned things around, lowering his season ERA to 3.09. Since the beginning of May, Kerkering has had a 0.79 ERA. He hasn't allowed an earned run since May 6th.

Despite his early-season struggles, Kerkering's teammates believed in him and his stuff. With a tightly contested National League East, the Phillies will need Kerkering to continue to thrive. After a dominant May, his teammates' belief in him has come to fruition, and Kerkering has found his groove again.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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