Matt Kemp went 3-for-3 with a walk and the go-ahead homer in the eighth inning yesterday afternoon, scoring all four times he reached base as the Dodgers won 4-3. In performing his one-man show Kemp became the first player since Dick McAuliffe in 1968 to score at least four times while accounting for all of his team's runs.
What makes Kemp's feat particularly noteworthy is that he scored four times despite batting seventh in the Dodgers' lineup, so he had Brad Ausmus and the pitcher's spot behind him. Only five players in the history of baseball have batted more times than Ausmus while posting a lower adjusted OPS+, but last night he twice drove in Kemp with doubles before Kemp later scored on back-to-back errors and his own homer.
Kemp is now batting .321/.385/.500 with 30 extra-base hits and 20 steals in 90 games, rates as the third-best defensive outfielder in the NL according to Ultimate Zone Rating, and ranks third in the league in runs above replacement level behind only Albert Pujols and Chase Utley. Oh, and Kemp is just 24 years old and hit .299/.342/.474 in 305 games prior to this season after batting .311/.359/.519 in the minors.
Despite all of that, Kemp wasn't picked for the All-Star game while eight outfielders and a grand total of 21 position players made the NL squad and has inexplicably batted higher than sixth in the Dodgers' lineup just 13 times. Meanwhile, he's batted seventh 40 times and either eighth or ninth 18 times. Has a 24-year-old career .305/.352/.482 hitter and Gold Glove-caliber center fielder ever received less credit?
As a wise man once said: "I'm speechless. Speechless. I have no speech."
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That is the way us Dodgers fans like it...keep him flying under the radar...as long as he keeps producing and playing smart baseball. Last year he had a tendency to make baserunning blunders that were unexplainable! I think he is starting to get it and before long he will be the one hitting second in front of Manny, which will only make him that much more dangerous!!!
It is funny how rotoworld was ripping kemp apart earlier/before the year. He is so good, and a player that is being underappreciated on his own team. He has no business hitting that low in the order. I am mancrushing.....wooooooo yeah its me Jro. Wooooo.
One reason Kemp stats are so good is that he is hitting down in the lineup. That being said, he deserved to be in the All Star game. It was so apparent this weekend when he played against Hunter Pence of the Astros who was selected to the game. Compare the differences in their stats. It's quite significant in Ave. and RBI. Furthermore, his own teammate, Carlos Lee had better stats than him. The only thing I can figure is that he had something on Charlie Manual.
Just another example of the kind of manager Joe Torre is. Yep... the kind with no clue what he is doing. Kemp is the second best hitter in the lineup (Ramirez is better). The fact that he isnt regularly hitting in the top 5 is absurd.
There is a long list of questionable decisions this guy has made. As a Yankee fan, I could not have been happier to see him go. Now he gets credit for again having an unbelievably talented team. They win in spite of him and his unexplainable batting order and pitching decisions.
***** The best young 5-tool player in BASEBALL, period. Case closed. At first when I consistently saw him hitting that low in the order I felt it was because he could be a bit brash or arrogant, as some young players tend to be and this was Torre's way of telling him to pipe down and just play ball.
However, after seeing and hearin NOTHING o support that claim.. if Torre, who's arguably the best manager in the game, isn't batting him there so he can have good balance throughout his lineup.. it's absolutely criminal to keep him there.
This guy has the 40/40 potential. That's rarified air. To even assume ANYONE right now has that kind of upside (without substance enhancers of course) in today's game is preposterous. However, if one guy on a Major League roster does, it's Matt Kemp. Kemp, Loney and Ethier make that LAD engine go. Manny's the conductor, but those 3 kids are what make that lineup potent.
PARTICULARLY KEMP!
Future MVP.
Actually, take a look at his splits by lineup spot...
2nd - 0 for 3 - 0.000
4th - 3 for 19 - 0.158
5th - 5 for 29 - 0.172
6th - 17 fpr 71 - 0.239
7th - 49 for 150 - 0.327
8th - 28 for 53 - 0.528
Can you really fault Torre even with the small sample sizes at the top of the order?
If Torre is basing his decision on these splits then he really is an idiot.
The idea that a player hits better lower in the order is baseless. There is NO evidence to support this. Also, Kemp's splits have no relevance. You are talking about a sample of 51 At bats in the top 5 slots. That is not a relevent sample. Looking at his style of play, he should be hitting 1 or 2 in the lineup putting himself on second base or better with Ramirez, Ethier, Hudson, and/or Loney following him up.
Torre doesnt get it. The Yankee team that he won with was built by Gene Michael and Buch Showalter. Torre drove it into the ground, and last year was the result of years of questionable decisions (he has virtually ended Scott Proctor's career). Girardi and the new Steinbrenners have taken control (cashman is just a yes man, and really doesnt make decisions) and are finally spending the couple of hundred of million budget well again. In a couple of years they will again dominate and make regular world series appearences (might even get there this year).
While I agree with you, the Dodgers are winning with Kemp batting lower all season long. Perhaps he feels less pressured to make something happen at the bottom of the order. Plus, if he hits in front of Manny, you can expect those SB numbers to fall.
I agree, I love Kemp as a player & will be keeping him & Hanley Ramirez in my 5x5 keeper fantasy league.
You can make a case for almost any young player to be the "most underrated player in baseball" mainly because it takes time for people to actually hear of player and then properly rate them.
When I consider players for most underrated status, I throw out any player under 27 from the discussion, since they just haven't been around for too long.
I've been telling people for the past year Matt Kemp reminds me of a young Dave Parker. Matt can hit for avg. and power, covers a lot of ground and has a gun, and runs like the wind! All the things Dave could do in his prime! Matt is only 24 and if he continues developing his talent and baseball IQ, he will be a league MVP one day! Once the Dodgers solidify their starting pitching they will win a championship! Most potent lineup in baseball 1 through 8.
***** The Dodgers would be an instant Championship favorite if they landed Halladay because that would give them that bonafied #1 at the top of the rotation. He could pitch 3 times in a 7 games series and is a stopper in evey sense of the word. A TRUE Ace.
However, if I was the Jays I wouldn't even entertain anything for Roy that wasn't a package that included BOTH Kershaw AND Kemp. The Jays would have to throw a high level prospect back, if Kemp was in the deal, but it wouldn't be worth it for the Jays to not get two young cornerstones like that in return for Doc.
The Dodgers would be more likely inclined to include Loney, McDonald and some high end prospects instead of Kershaw or Kemp, but if I was JP i'd push for that package and nothing less and be willing to add to the deal to make sure I secure both Kemp and Kershaw. If the Dodgers would take some $ back, i'd consider trading Rios as a Kemp replacement.
I jut feel that Kemp has the kind of skill-set that a future MVP would. He doesn't have any glaring weaknesses and just needs to continue to grow as a player and gain that invaluable experience that only comes from playing.
You guys are retarded. The Dodgers are not doing so well because Kemp's at the bottom of the lineup - think of how much better he would be doing if he was at the top. You can't make the argument "Look how bad he's doing hitting top 5 regardless of the sample size" - that's bush league stuff. Imagine how much better he'd be hitting if he had some protection around him instead of Casey Blake. Look at how well O-Dog was hitting in front of Manny in the beginning of the year - think that could be a detriment to Kemp's production? Please. Torre never knew how to construct a lineup and still is a product of a quality team he had no responsibility creating. And for the record, the Sox have the best lineup in the majors, though we'll see you guys in the Series to back it up.
You guys are retarded. The Dodgers are not doing so well because Kemp's at the bottom of the lineup - think of how much better he would be doing if he was at the top. You can't make the argument "Look how bad he's doing hitting top 5 regardless of the sample size" - that's bush league stuff. Imagine how much better he'd be hitting if he had some protection around him instead of Casey Blake. Look at how well O-Dog was hitting in front of Manny in the beginning of the year - think that could be a detriment to Kemp's production? Please. Torre never knew how to construct a lineup and still is a product of a quality team he had no responsibility creating. And for the record, the Sox have the best lineup in the majors, though we'll see you guys in the Series to back it up.
You guys are retarded. The Dodgers are not doing so well because Kemp's at the bottom of the lineup - think of how much better he (and the Dodgers) would be doing if he was at the top. You can't make the argument "Look how bad he's doing hitting top 5 regardless of the sample size" - that's bush league stuff. Imagine how much better he'd be hitting if he had some protection around him instead of Casey Blake. Look at how well O-Dog was hitting in front of Manny in the beginning of the year - think that could be a detriment to Kemp's production? Please. Torre never knew how to construct a lineup and still is a product of a quality team he had no responsibility creating. And for the record, the Sox have the best lineup in the majors, though we'll see you guys in the Series to back it up. And please keep Kemp hitting 8th!!! I hear that Kuroda guy is a dangerous power hitter who needs good protection...
You guys are retarded. The Dodgers are not doing so well because Kemp's at the bottom of the lineup - think of how much better he (and the Dodgers) would be doing if he was at the top. You can't make the argument "Look how bad he's doing hitting top 5 regardless of the sample size" - that's bush league stuff. Imagine how much better he'd be hitting if he had some protection around him instead of Casey Blake. Look at how well O-Dog was hitting in front of Manny in the beginning of the year - think that could be a detriment to Kemp's production? Please. Torre never knew how to construct a lineup and still is a product of a quality team he had no responsibility creating. And for the record, the Sox have the best lineup in the majors, though we'll see you guys in the Series to back it up. And please keep Kemp hitting 8th!!! I hear pitchers need really good protection.
Kemp is absolutely the most underrated player in baseball by his own organization and (judging from some of the comments here), many Dodger fans. The LA front office has never held the slightest clue as to what they had in him. Meanwhile, the rest of baseball has been drooling and marvelling at the guy and debating about what horrible thing he did to Joe Torre's dog to have to fight for time so continually with Infield Single Pierre. Ned Colletti is quite possibly the stupidest man in baseball, this side of fellow NL West dunceboy Brian Sabean at least.
Dodger Blue Chuco: "I think he is starting to get it..."
STARTING to get it? The man has been doing exactly this for 3 years now. Where have you been, busy reading Ned Colletti's confused notes on the man?
AFT53: "One reason Kemp stats are so good is that he is hitting down in the lineup."
Huwhaa? Oh yeah, right. All those great junk pitches he gets in the #8 slot with the pitcher on deck. Sure way to beef up a batting average. Not to mention pad your numbers with lots of runs scored and ribbies what with guys like Ausmus and the pitcher around you.
There is certainly something awful in the water in LA that has them so slow on the uptake when it comes to this PERENNIAL (not potential) STAR outfielder. The town most certainly does NOT deserve to have the man on their roster. Seeing him on their team is like walking into someone's office and seeing an original Gutenberg Bible being used to raise the height of their computer monitor. NO appreciation for the guy. None. Zippo.
Chris posts the same comment four times, and it's the other posters who are retarded?!?!
Ummm, Chris, could you repeat that ?
...again
Kemp is a bit of a diva and does not do the mental part of baseball well. One person wrote that he made a lot of mistakes on the basepaths last year-well he may not be making quite as many this season, but he is still making them. The guy has no instincts for the game and he's just not that bright, to put it bluntly. His tools are incredible and while I'm not taking anything away from him or his ability and potential to do even better, the more pressure he feels (i.e. where he hits in the order), the worse he performs. Yeah, the sample size is weak, I get that...nevertheless, I know what I see and I see a guy who, when asked to think on his feet or carry a larger share of the offense, wilts under the pressure. Torre is smart enough to keep the flame turned down. And one more thing...I may be "retarded" but I'm only going to post this once because posting it 4 times might actually reveal I'm retarded and I wouldn't want that.
Is it just me or does it seem like everyone forgot about how Kemp was the most exciting offensive prospect in baseball a mere two years ago? Well I haven't and his gaudy line from 07 is almost identical this year except a slight dip in slugging and a slight rise in obp. The thing I'm really getting at is the man can flat out hit. During his amazing 07 half year he often hit from 1,2,3 in the order mostly at 1 and 3. His line for hitting 3rd in his career is pretty great at Would he benefit from moving up in the order? Probably. but I can say this much what he's doing on the year has absolutely nothing to do with him hitting 7th.