Buddy Kennedy #39

While in elementary school, he was called into the office and did not like the way his name (Clifton Kennedy) sounded over the loudspeaker, as he thought he would always become a baseball player...His father, who is Clifton Lewis Kennedy II, went by Buddy so he told the school to start calling him Buddy. As a result, his dad now goes by Bud...The biggest influence on his career is his grandfather, Don Money, who played 16 years in the Majors from 1968-83 with Philadelphia and Milwaukee.

2025

Played for three organizations and appeared in 14 total MLB games with the Phillies (four), Blue Jays (two) and Dodgers (seven)...hit .069 (1-for-17) with a run and an RBI in the 14 games...Began the season in the Philadelphia organization... slashed .283./.388/.447 with 35 runs, 11 doubles, a triple, eight home runs, 40 RBI and three stolen bases with Lehigh-Valley before having his contract selected on June 19...played four games with the Phillies before being DFA'ed on June 30...Was named INT Player of the Month in May after slashing .358/.426/.632 with 18 runs, eight doubles, six homers, 24 RBI and a 1.058 OPS in 24 games...Signed a Minor League deal with Toronto on July 10...played 27 games with Triple-A Buffalo, slashing .275/.353/.333 with 15 runs, six doubles, nine RBI and a stolen base over 27 games before having his contract selected by Toronto on August 5...Designated for assignment on Aug. 12 after two games...was claimed off waivers by Los Angeles-NL on Aug. 15...played seven games before being designated for assignment on Aug. 25 and electing free agency on Aug. 28. 

2024

Split the season between the DET organization and the Phillies...Opened the season with Toledo (AAA) but appeared in six games with DET and slashed .200/.308/.500 (.808 OPS) with one HR and four RBI...Acquired from DET on 6/7 and was optioned to Lehigh Valley (AAA)...Appeared in eight games (two starts) for the Phillies across three stints; 8/26-27, 9/6-16 and 9/29-end of season...Made his Phillies debut as a defensive replacement at third base in the eighth inning on 9/6 at MIA...Notched his first hit and RBI as a Phillie on 9/10 vs TB...Made his first start with the Phillies on 9/13 vs NYM at third base... On 9/15 vs NYM, collected his first career game-tying hit in the eighth inning or later; the double was his first XBH as a Phillie...In 67 games with the IronPigs, slashed .294/.400/.500 with 19 doubles, one triple, 10 HR, 30 XBH, 41 walks and 44 runs scored...Set a Lehigh Valley franchise record with a 40-game on-base streak from 6/12-8/1...At the time of his second promotion, his 31 doubles between Lehigh Valley and Toledo ranked tied for second in the International League; ended the year tied for sixth...Was a part of the club’s stay-ready camp for the duration of the postseason.

2023

Was a non-roster invitee to Spring Training with ARI...Began the year with Reno (AAA), slashing .318/.444/.481 with a .925 OPS, 37 XBH, 46 RBI, 70 walks and 76 runs in 90 games before having his contract selected by ARI on 8/12...Appeared in 10 ML games before being optioned on 8/31...Was designated for assignment on 9/6 and claimed off waivers by OAK on 9/9...Finished the season playing 11 games for Las Vegas (AAA) in OAK’s system (.216, 8-for-37)...His eight triples ranked tied-for-first in the Pacific Coast League while his combined .432 OBP ranked second and his .307 AVG was sixth.

2022

Hit .217 (18-for-83) with two doubles, two triples, one home run, 12 RBI and eight walks over 30 games in his first season with Arizona…appeared in 22 games at second base, three at DH and two at third... Selected from Triple-A Reno on June 17 and made his Major League debut vs. Twins as designated hitter…recorded his first hit (single off Devin Smeltzer) in his third at-bat... Was optioned to Reno on Aug. 2…batted .261 (86-for-330) with 14 doubles, three triples, seven homers, 40 RBI, 54 walks and eight stolen bases with the Aces.