September 22, 2023
TAMPA (September 22, 2023) – Former University of South Florida Bull Orion Kerkering has been named the Philadelphia Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Year, the organization announced on Thursday. Kerkering is the recipient of the 2023 Paul Owens Award, presented annually to the Phillies' top minor league pitcher.
The Venice, Florida native pitched at South Florida from 2020-22 and was drafted by the Phillies in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Kerkering spent his first two seasons at USF in the bullpen before splitting time in 2022 between the starting rotation and closer role.