Jul 2, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Otto Kemp (4) warms up before a game against the San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Park. (Credit: Grace Del Pizzo-On Pattison) John Del Pizzo
Otto Kemp was hit for the sixth time in his MLB career in Tuesday's Phillies win over the Boston Red Sox, a very high number considering it was only his 31st professional game.
This isn't a trend that's just started in Kemp's rookie MLB season either. In 337 professional games — counting minors and majors — Kemp has been hit 70 times.
So what gives? On Pattison asked Kemp Wednesday afternoon.
"I couldn't really tell you exactly what it is," Kemp said. "I would say, I go the other way a lot. So I would say I stay on pitches quite a bit longer than some may. So, I mean, I'm working kind of right-center, so my body kind of goes into it sometimes if it's up and in.
"Other than that, I've just been taught not to move my feet," he added. "So it's kind of how I've always been. That's how I was raised to play the game. And I just haven't changed that mentality."
A lot of guys, understandably, don't like being hit. But while Kemp isn't leaning into pitches, he's also not trying desperately to get out of the way of them. It seems like he isn't bothered by being hit.
"No, I don't mind it. I get on base," Kemp said. "So, I mean, it's another opportunity to score. So, to me, it's just as good as a walk, as long as it doesn't linger around for a while."
There's no reason to believe that pitchers are targeting Kemp, but the trend was still interesting enough to ask manager Rob Thomson about.
"He's a tough guy, and he's not going to give in," Thomson said. "He's gonna hang in there and that's just what he does — he's tough."
Otto Kemp often wears a brace on his left elbow to bat. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)Of course, it's easier to get hit in the arm when you have padding there protecting your elbow. Kemp doesn't always wear an elbow guard when batting, though it seems like he's done it on a more frequent basis in recent weeks. He also has Nick Castellanos-esque padding on his left batting glove.
"All the gear? Definitely got hit a lot, so I put the gear on," Kemp said. "The more I've realized 95 mph fastballs are not light on the body, I've braced up a little bit."
Kemp has been a great story this season because he managed to reach the majors despite not getting drafted after his collegiate career at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego.
In addition to being "the undrafted guy," he's also now the "gets hit by a lot of pitches" guy.
The 25-year-old is carving out quite an interesting reputation for himself.
"A lot of weird little stats or whatever you want to call them," Kemp said with a laugh. "But there's a couple weird things where it's just like, for me, it's just to play the game and score runs and try and compete and win."
