Going into the last week of spring training, Buddy Kennedy had a rough road to travel to leave Florida in the lone Phillies roster spot remaining. It came down to him or Kody Clemens, who posted better results in spring training, hitting .327 with two home runs. By contrast, Kennedy hit .150, but with three homers. Clemens secured the spot.
President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski said the final decision rested in the hands of the manager, Rob Thomson. “When we have players who are relatively close in ability, I talk to the manager and ask him, ‘How do you see him with your club?’ ” Dombrowski told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “The basic reality is he thought he really wasn’t going to use Buddy very much early in the season.”
Kennedy, grandson of former Major League all-star and Phillies stalwart third baseman Don Money, at the same time ran out of options with the team. Hailing from Millville (and friend of Millville major leaguer/Angels outfielder, Mike Trout), Kennedy maintained a path back to the IronPigs, the Phillies top farm club in the Lehigh Valley.
Dombrowski tried to trade him but without success. He then designated him for assignment, which also drew no takers from other clubs. As per rules, Kennedy declared himself a free agent and resigned with the IronPigs. He has a chance to go back up to the Phils if he can bring his batting numbers up in the minors.
