Orion Kerkering is projected to be one of the closers for the Phillies in 2025, alongside Matt Strahm and José Alvarado. While the bullpen wasn't a significant weakness last season, it had its flaws, posting a 3.94 ERA and blowing 19 of 56 save opportunities. As the Phillies look to strengthen their relief options, acquiring a star closer like Devin Williams could enhance their bullpen's reliability and overall performance.

Orion Kerkering is highlighted as a potential closer for the Phillies, showcasing impressive skills with a 2.29 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 63 innings during a set-up role. Despite lacking MLB saves, he possesses the necessary stuff for the position, but the team will need to assess his demeanor for the closer role. With both Carlos Estevez and Jeff Hoffman set to be free agents, Kerkering's emergence could be crucial for the bullpen's future stability.

Orion Kerkering was noted as a viable option out of the bullpen for the Phillies during critical postseason games. He was available to pitch in high-pressure situations, yet manager Rob Thomson opted for less effective choices instead. This decision-making raised concerns about Thomson's judgment, especially when Kerkering could have been utilized to help secure leads, particularly in the National League Division Series against the Mets. His exclusion from crucial moments highlighted Thomson's questionable management strategies that contributed to the team's playoff struggles.

Orion Kerkering made his MLB debut for the Philadelphia Phillies as a September call-up in 2023 and quickly established himself as a reliable late-inning option in the bullpen. In 2024, he solidified his role with a strong performance, posting a 2.29 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 64 games. With both Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez set to hit free agency, Kerkering is poised to take on an even more prominent role in the Phillies' bullpen moving forward.

Orion Kerkering emerged as a key contributor in the Phillies' bullpen during the season, showcasing his talent with a remarkable 2.29 ERA over 63 innings. Despite the bullpen's struggles in the postseason, Kerkering stood out by allowing only one run in 3.2 innings pitched. His strong performance earned him a spot on the playoff roster and solidified his role as a reliable relief pitcher moving forward. With his impressive rookie season behind him, Kerkering is poised to take on an even larger role in the bullpen for the upcoming season.