PHILADELPHIA — To go from an undrafted free agent to a big leaguer in just four seasons, Otto Kemp needed to swing his way there. Bunting wasn’t really on the table.
The last bunt attempt he could remember making was back in 2021 when he was on the St. Cloud Rox, a Minnesota-based collegiate summer team in the Northwoods League; he popped it up straight up to the catcher.
Kemp hid that inexperience on Monday night as he laid down a beauty in the 11th inning, helping the Phillies beat the Cubs, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game series.