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Buddy Kennedy

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Buddy Kennedy
Kennedy with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023
Free agent
Infielder
Born: (1998-10-05) October 5, 1998 (age 26)
Millville, New Jersey, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 17, 2022, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
MLB statistics
(through June 27, 2025)
Batting average.193
Home runs2
Runs batted in19
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Clifton Lewis "Buddy" Kennedy (born October 5, 1998) is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, and Philadelphia Phillies.

Amateur career

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Born and raised in Millville, New Jersey, Kennedy attended Millville Senior High School. There, he played baseball and batted .493 with six home runs as a senior in 2017.[1]

He was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[2] He signed for $550,000, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at the University of North Carolina.[3]

Professional career

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Arizona Diamondbacks

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Kennedy made his professional debut with the Arizona League Diamondbacks, batting .270 with nine doubles, eight triples, and twenty RBIs over fifty games.[4] In 2018, he played with the Missoula Osprey with whom he slashed .327/.396/.465 with four home runs and 32 RBIs over 57 games.[5] For the 2019 season, he played for the Kane County Cougars, hitting .262 with seven home runs and 49 RBIs over 101 games.[6] He did not play a minor league game in 2020 after the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7][8] Kennedy began the 2021 season with the Hillsboro Hops and was promoted to the Amarillo Sod Poodles in mid-June.[9][10] Over 96 games between the two clubs, Kennedy slashed .290/.384/.523 with 22 home runs, sixty RBIs, and 16 stolen bases.[11] He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Salt River Rafters after the season.[12]

Kennedy was assigned to the Reno Aces of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League to begin the 2022 season.[13] On June 17, the Diamondbacks selected his contract and he made his MLB debut that night as the starting designated hitter versus the Minnesota Twins.[14] He recorded his first MLB hit that night with a single off Devin Smeltzer.[15] On June 19, he recorded his first MLB home run, a grand slam off Caleb Thielbar of the Minnesota Twins.[16] He was sent outright off the roster on November 11, 2022.

He was assigned to Triple-A Reno to begin the 2023 season, where he played in 87 games and hit .318/.447/.480 with 5 home runs and 46 RBI. On August 12, 2023, the Diamondbacks selected Kennedy's contract, adding him to the major league roster.[17] In 10 games for Arizona, Kennedy went 4-for-24 (.167) with 1 RBI. On September 6, he was designated for assignment following the waiver claim of Seby Zavala.[18]

Oakland Athletics

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On September 9, 2023, Kennedy was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.[19] In 11 games for the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators, Kennedy hit .216/.326/.216 with no home runs, four RBI, and six walks.

Detroit Tigers

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On October 25, 2023, Kennedy was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals.[20] He was designated for assignment on February 27, 2024, following the signing of Brandon Crawford,[21][22] and claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers on February 29.[23][24] Kennedy was optioned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens to begin the 2024 season.[25] The Tigers called up Kennedy on April 20 to replace Gio Urshela, who was placed on the injured list.[26] In 6 games for Detroit, he went 2-for-10 with one home run and four RBI. On June 3, Kennedy was designated for assignment by the Tigers.[27]

Philadelphia Phillies

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On June 7, 2024, Kennedy was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash considerations.[28][29] On September 9, in his third game with the Phillies, Philadelphia fans chanted "Buddy," repeatedly as Kennedy walked in a pinch-hit appearance, one batter before Kody Clemens hit a bases loaded walk-off single in a 2–1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.[30] In eight appearances for the Phillies, Kennedy went 2-for-11 (.182) with two RBI and two walks.

Kennedy, the final cut from the Phillies 2025 Opening Day roster, was designated for assignment on March 27, 2025.[31][32] On April 1, he cleared waivers and elected free agency in lieu of an outright assignment to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. However, he re-signed with the organization on a minor league contract the same day.[33] In 61 appearances for Lehigh, Kennedy batted .283/.388/.447 with eight home runs, 40 RBI, and three stolen bases. On June 19, the Phillies selected Kennedy's contract, adding him to their active roster.[34][35] In four appearances for Philadelphia, he went 0-for-7 with one walk. Kennedy was designated for assignment by the Phillies on June 30.[36][37] He elected free agency after clearing waivers on July 5.[38]

Personal life

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Kennedy is close friends with Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout and trains with him in the off-season.[39] Kennedy's grandfather, Don Money, played in MLB for the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers.[40]

References

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  1. ^ Anastasia, Phil (June 14, 2017). "Baseball: 'Dream come true' for Millville's Kennedy". Inquirer.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  2. ^ Zedalis, Joe (June 13, 2017). "Baseball: Millville's Buddy Kennedy is 1st N.J. player taken in MLB Draft, picked by D-backs in 5th round (updated)". NJ.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  3. ^ Melhorn, Mark (June 24, 2017). "Millville's Buddy Kennedy signs for six-figure bonus with Arizona Diamondbacks". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  4. ^ McGurk, Tom (September 19, 2017). "Baseball: Millville's Kennedy enjoys first year on the job". The Daily Journal. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  5. ^ Johnson, Paul (May 25, 2019). "Buddy system: Kennedy adjusts with Kane County Cougars, learns from Angels superstar Mike Trout". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  6. ^ "'Buddy knows how to play the game': Kennedy a key as Kane County Cougars clinch playoff spot". Chicago Tribune. September 3, 2019.
  7. ^ "Local baseball minor leaguers missing crucial development time". May 2, 2020.
  8. ^ Adler, David (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  9. ^ "Millville's Kenndy moving up the minor league ladder - SouthJersey.com". www.southjersey.com.
  10. ^ Writer, JOHN RUSSO Staff (June 27, 2021). "Buddy Kennedy's hot bat leads to promotion: Local minor leaguers update". Press of Atlantic City.
  11. ^ "Seasons end, others continue in postseason play: Local minor leaguers update". September 26, 2021.
  12. ^ "Here are the Arizona Fall League rosters". MLB.com.
  13. ^ @Aces (April 6, 2022). "Introducing your 2022 Reno Aces" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ^ "Follow Twins at D-backs game FREE with MLB Gameday". MLB.com. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  15. ^ "The next great from Millville, NJ? D-backs prospect has special relationship with Trout". MLB.com.
  16. ^ "Buddy Kennedy gives dad a grand Father's Day gift". MLB.com.
  17. ^ "Diamondbacks-Padres news, updates: Rivera, Robinson moved; Buddy Kennedy to rejoin club". azcentral.com. August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  18. ^ "D-backs roster moves". MLB.com. September 6, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  19. ^ Russo, John (September 9, 2023). "MLB team in California claims Buddy Kennedy on waivers". Press of Atlantic City.
  20. ^ Schaeffer, Brenden. "Cardinals claim infielder Buddy Kennedy from Oakland". KMOV. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  21. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals finalize contract with Brandon Crawford". Belleville News-Democrat. February 27, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  22. ^ Woo, Katie. "Why the Cardinals signed Brandon Crawford and how he'll mentor Masyn Winn at shortstop". The Athletic. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  23. ^ Woodbery, Evan (February 29, 2024). "Tigers claim infielder off waivers from Cardinals". MLive.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  24. ^ Petzold, Evan (February 29, 2024). "Detroit Tigers claim infielder Buddy Kennedy, who had .432 OBP in Triple-A, off waivers". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  25. ^ "Tigers' Buddy Kennedy: Optioned to Triple-A". cbssports.com. March 19, 2024.
  26. ^ Petzold, Evan (April 20, 2024). "Detroit Tigers' Gio Urshela to injured list, Buddy Kennedy recalled". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  27. ^ Woodbery, Evan. "Mud Hens release first baseman, opening spot for Tork to play every day". MLive.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  28. ^ Petzold, Evan (June 7, 2024). "Detroit Tigers trade Buddy Kennedy to Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  29. ^ "Phillies acquire infielder Buddy Kennedy from Tigers". ESPN.com. June 7, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  30. ^ Seidman, Corey (September 9, 2024). "Spontaneous chants and surreal moments in Phillies' walk-off win". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  31. ^ "Phillies finalize 2025 Opening Day roster". MLB.com. March 27, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  32. ^ Hayes, Marcus. "Kody Clemens beats out Millville's Buddy Kennedy for the Phillies' final bench spot". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
  33. ^ "Phillies Re-Sign Buddy Kennedy To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  34. ^ Seidman, Corey (June 19, 2025). "Phillies shift Nola to 60-day IL, call up Buddy Kennedy". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  35. ^ "Phillies add INF Buddy Kennedy; RHP Aaron Nola to 60-day IL". Reuters. June 19, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  36. ^ "Phillies slugger Bryce Harper reinstated after stint on IL". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  37. ^ Zolecki, Todd (June 30, 2025). "Harper feels good about wrist, returns to Phils' lineup with Deadline a month away". MLB.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  38. ^ "Buddy Kennedy Elects Free Agency". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  39. ^ Rallo, Curt (July 18, 2019). "MWL notes: Kennedy keeps even-keeled". MiLB.com. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  40. ^ Minnick, Kevin (May 19, 2016). "BASEBALL: Kennedy is a 'different' kind of player". CourierPostOnline.com. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
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