Kerkering ready to step into old pal Hoffman's shoes

January 22nd, 2025

This story was excerpted from Todd Zolecki’s Phillies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

texted Jeff Hoffman shortly after he signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Blue Jays.

Hoffman was one of the Phillies’ best relievers the past two years, consistently coming up big in hairy situations. He pitched so well in high-leverage spots that he made the 2024 NL All-Star team, parlaying that success into a considerable payday with Toronto.

“He said he was still going to check up on me, and make sure that I’m listening to [Matt] Strahm,” Kerkering said Tuesday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

Kerkering went 5-3 with a 2.29 ERA in 64 appearances last year in his first full season in the big leagues. The Phillies believe he is ready to assume Hoffman’s role.

Frankly, they’re banking on it.

“Just go be you,” Kerkering said, when asked about Hoffman’s advice. “And just go have fun. He always told us, he changes everything he does. He doesn’t do the same routine every single day. Whether he puts on his left shoe before his right shoe that day … he doesn’t like the superstitions of [baseball]. Just keep being you because you’re the reason why … we’re all here for a reason, so just keep running with it.”

The Phillies have not used a traditional closer in recent years, although they have leaned in that direction for stretches: Craig Kimbrel (2023) and Carlos Estévez (2024).

If the season started today, new right-hander Jordan Romano could see early looks in the ninth inning. But so could Strahm and Kerkering.

“I think it’ll be super fun,” Kerkering said. “No pressure at all. It’s the same three outs every time I go out there, or however many outs Topper [Rob Thomson] wants me to get. No matter what inning it is, I think they’re all super important. I don’t think it really matters too much.”

Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham recently explained on The Phillies Show why he thinks Kerkering can handle those moments.

“He’s a good thinker,” Cotham said. “He’s what you want. I mean this in the best way, he’s a little bit of a dirt bag. He likes the ball and he likes those sticky, hot situations. And he doesn’t back down. He’s a trash man. So I think he can do that role that Hoffman was obviously fantastic at.”

Could he see Kerkering as a closer in the future?

“For sure,” Cotham said. “That’s an easy yes for me. If we define closer like the ability to get the most important outs in a game, he’s there.”

But there are ways to be even better in those spots. Kerkering said a focus this spring is his fastball. Specifically, throwing more two-seamers and locating them better.

He thinks it could be a game changer.

“Maybe it’s like 25-25 [percent] between fastballs,” Kerkering said, with the other half being sliders. “Split it a little bit more, and play off between righties and lefties a little bit more. Be able to locate left and right side of the plate a little better with it. Just keep growing off it. Last year, I don’t want to say [the sinker] was a play-around pitch, but [it was an] experiment almost. See how it is. But this year it’s take the next step into it.”

Hoffman was Strahm’s catch partner the past two years. They played catch almost every day on the field before a game.

Maybe Kerkering steps into that spot, too?

“I’m not sure,” Kerkering said, smiling. “I think that’s really up in the air right now. He’s got to find the right guy for that. It almost feels like an audition. We’ll see about that one.”