Otto Kemp recently made his eighth spring start, traveling from Clearwater to Bradenton as the Philadelphia Phillies faced the Pittsburgh Pirates. Heading into the game, Kemp ranked second on the team in Grapefruit League plate appearances behind Justin Crawford, primarily spending his time in left field during this spring training. Of his eight starts, six have been in left field, while the remaining two came at second base and designated hitter, signaling the primary avenue for Kemp’s playing time in 2026 as a right-handed platoon partner alongside Brandon Marsh.
Progress Adapting to Left Field
As a rookie, Kemp appeared in left field sparingly, playing 63 innings over 11 games with seven starts. However, his involvement there this spring is expected to surpass last year’s totals. In several starts, Kemp was replaced late in games by defensive substitutes, a trend that may continue as the Phillies aim to position him comfortably on the field. Prior to last season, Kemp had never played left field, only trying it once in the 2024 Arizona Fall League. Despite an imperfect spring, his improvement has been gradual and encouraging.
He’s getting really good jumps off the ball and really good reads,
manager Rob Thomson said last week.
He’s a worker. He’s going to get better and better.
– Rob Thomson, Phillies Manager
Potential for a Handedness-Based Platoon
The Phillies envision Kemp and Marsh sharing left field duties depending on the opposing pitcher’s handedness. Kemp’s offensive numbers against left-handed pitching as a rookie were impressive, with a .324 on-base percentage and a .462 slugging percentage, outperforming his .285 OBP and .386 SLG against right-handers. This trend extends to his minor league years, where he posted a .424 OBP against lefties in 245 plate appearances across Triple-A and Double-A.
I think it’s just getting an overall comfort, just knowing that every place you play at, the dimensions are different, the environment’s different,
Kemp explained to reporters prior to spring training.
So just kind’ve learning how to play through the elements and learning what I need to take away from any ballpark that we’re at and how the ball bounces off the wall, what the dimensions are like. Just learning the overall feel in the outfield is just going to be the biggest part moving forward.
– Otto Kemp, Phillies Outfielder
The platoon concept is promising on paper, given Marsh’s strengths against right-handed pitching. Marsh boasts a strong .797 OPS against righties but has struggled against lefties, hitting just .195 over the last two seasons and .213 for his career. Even when Marsh sits against lefties, he often serves as a late-inning pinch hitter and defensive replacement, as he remains the team’s top defensive option in left field.
Current Status of Platoon Partner Brandon Marsh
Brandon Marsh recently resumed activity after managing hand inflammation caused by sliding drills, which kept him sidelined for over a week during camp. Since returning, Marsh has played in two games, achieving two hits in six at-bats against the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox, including a pair of singles.
Implications for Kemp’s Role Moving Forward
Otto Kemp’s development at left field and his platoon role with Brandon Marsh could define his 2026 season. While adapting to a new defensive position presents challenges, his offensive promise against left-handed pitchers offers the Phillies a strategic advantage. The team’s willingness to invest in his acclimation highlights their interest in maximizing Kemp’s contribution on both sides of the ball. This platoon arrangement may provide Kemp with consistent playing time while allowing Marsh to excel in his defensive and offensive specialties against appropriate matchups, potentially shaping the Phillies’ outfield dynamics throughout the season.
