Have the Phillies Over-Coached Orion Kerkering Into a Slump?
The Philadelphia Phillies may have unintentionally created a mess with one of their brightest young pitchers, Orion Kerkering. What was supposed to be a breakout year for the 24-year-old is now becoming an example of how over-coaching can derail talent. Instead of refining his strengths, the team’s tinkering has potentially made things worse.
There’s often a fine line between improvement and interference, and it seems that line was crossed. Kerkering’s case is raising eyebrows across the league, with insiders and scouts pointing fingers not at the player—but at the coaching staff. According to MLB insider Jayson Stark, two scouts believe the Phillies have altered the shape of Kerkering’s slider. That small adjustment may be allowing hitters to read the pitch much more easily, stripping away its unpredictability—something no pitcher can afford.
The numbers don’t lie. Kerkering’s earned run average (ERA), which stood at an impressive 2.29 in 2024, has now spiked to 4.85 in 2025. His command on the mound has weakened—walks have nearly doubled, strikeouts have declined, and his home run rate has jumped from 0.3 to 1.4. What used to be his dominant edge now seems dulled by excessive tweaking.
In baseball, minor technical changes can have major consequences, and the Phillies may have fallen into the trap of over-analyzing. Kerkering hasn’t lost his ability—he’s simply been modified too much. This raises serious questions about the Phillies’ approach to developing pitchers, especially in high-pressure bullpen roles.
The bullpen overall has been one of the team’s weakest links this season. While the Phillies have strong hitters and solid starting pitching, their relievers have caused more stress than stability. If the team wants to make a serious playoff push, it can’t afford unreliable arms late in games.
To fix this, the Phillies must prioritize building a more consistent bullpen. That could mean acquiring experienced relievers with a track record in high-stakes situations or identifying internal talent ready for bigger roles. The key is finding pitchers who can deliver in the sixth to eighth innings, reducing the burden on closers and minimizing blown leads.
Beyond player acquisitions, the organization needs to rethink its pitching philosophy. Too much technical adjustment without clear benefits can backfire, as seen with Kerkering. A more balanced, confident approach might help young pitchers develop naturally rather than under the weight of constant mechanical changes.
If things continue this way, the Phillies might need more than just a pitching coach—they may need to revamp their entire strategy around bullpen management. In a sport defined by inches and instincts, sometimes the smartest move is to let talented players do what they do best, without too much interference.