DUNEDIN, Fla. — Before Otto Kemp started at left field on Saturday, Rob Thomson warned him about his nickname there at Toronto’s TD Ballpark: “Satan’s Corner.”
The Phillies manager has seen many misplays in that part of the outfield, because of a combination of the wind, the sun, and the typically cloudless sky above Dunedin.
“I didn’t want to ask right before I started about why he called it that,” Kemp said. “But I felt pretty comfortable out there.”
Kemp didn’t get a ton of action in the spring opener — a 3-0 Phillies loss to the Blue Jays on Saturday — and caught the only fly ball hit his way in the first inning. But his outfield education this spring will continue to be put to the test, as Kemp gets more innings in left field during Grapefruit League games.
The 26-year-old learned left field on the fly last season in the majors, after being an infielder throughout the minor leagues. The Phillies believe that Kemp could be a platoon bat in left field for Brandon Marsh and want him to get as many reps as possible.
Throughout camp, Kemp has been juggling keeping his infield skills sharp with a lot of additional work on his outfield fundamentals, particularly his footwork. He works with infield coach Bobby Dickerson in the morning, and then works with outfield coach Paco Figueroa for most of the day after that.
“Seeing the ball off the bat and just trying to power shag as much as I can,” Kemp said. “Getting my reads down and getting my first step right. … I feel like I’ve worked a lot already, and it’s been great work so far. So I’m starting to feel really comfortable out there.”
On Saturday, Kemp also shared the outfield with Justin Crawford, who started in center and had a 2-for-3 day at the plate.
“He’s a dynamic player, and he covers a lot of ground, so it’s fun to just be out there,” Kemp said. “And I feel closer to him now being in the outfield, because I’ve been in the infield pretty much the entire time throughout our minor league career. So it’s fun to kind of work a little bit more side-by-side with him, and even learn from him. He’s a great outfielder. He tracks balls down better than I’ve seen a lot of people do.”
Who stood out: Crawford led off the game with a double to center field off Toronto lefty Eric Lauer, after hitting a laser down the right field line that just stayed foul earlier in the plate appearance. He also singled in the fifth inning and made several solid defensive plays.
“Definitely feels good getting the first one in the first at-bat like that,” Crawford said. “So it’s kind of nice to be able to get that early and then just trying to hopefully build off of that.”
Keaton Anthony made a diving stop at first base, and was a part of three double plays turned by the Phillies infield.
On the mound: Bryse Wilson pitched two innings for the Phillies, allowing three hits, a walk, and zero runs.
Zach McCambley, a Rule 5 pick this offseason who is in competition for the final two bullpen spots, sidestepped a walk to Ernie Clement for a scoreless inning. He induced a groundout from Andrés Giménez and a lineout from Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
“He’s got a good arm,” Thomson said of McCambley. “He’s working on cutter today, so it got away from him a little bit. But the slider, he can spin it, the fastball is really good and it plays. I like the kid.”
Max Lazar tossed a scoreless frame. Seth Johnson and Nolan Hoffman each pitched an inning, and both gave up a home run.
Quotable: “He acts like a like a professional. He acts like he deserves to be here,” Thomson said of Crawford.
On deck: The Phillies return to BayCare Ballpark Sunday for their spring home opener against the Pirates (1:05 p.m., NBCSP).
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