Then Bryce Harper went on the Injured List, the Phillies had an opening, and the big-league call came in for Kemp last week. The 25-year-old infielder has kept undeniable since, but for a different reason now: He's making it impossible for the Phillies to send him back down.

Otto Kemp went undrafted out of Point Loma Nazarene University in California. He signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022 and improbably made the major leagues just three years later.

Bryce Harper's injury has sidelined him. This gives Otto Kemp a chance to shine for the Philadelphia Phillies. Kemp, recently promoted, will play first base. Alec Bohm will return to third base. Kemp's performance will be closely watched.

Kemp had been waiting a while. A lifetime for his major-league debut, Saturday in Pittsburgh. Perhaps just as long to lay down a good bunt.

Brandon Marsh singled home the winning run in the 11th inning after the Philadelphia Phillies used two bunt hits to load the bases and beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3.

Carson DeMartini is quickly ascending the Phillies' minor-league system, following the footsteps of other promising prospects.

Otto Kemp, an undrafted rookie, made a stunning MLB debut, driving the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs in extra innings.

This story was excerpted from Paul Casella's Phillies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.