Tony Kemp
Tony Kemp could earn the most playing time among all of the players mentioned solely because of his versatility. The utility guy can occupy multiple infield positions, as well as the outfield.
And, unlike any of the others, Kemp possesses speed – a valuable asset for the Astros.
Houston ranked eighth in the league in stolen bases last season and ranked within the top 10 in the three prior seasons. Jose Altuve played a large part in keeping the team that high in the rankings, swiping bags in that span.
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But that doesn’t mean manager A.J. Hinch can utilize others’ wheels on the bases, such as Kemp’s. During both the 2015 and 2016 season, at least five players accrued at least 10 stolen bases.
Kemp could find himself in the 20-and-above category if he runs as successful as he has in Triple-A. He swiped 25 bases in 2017 for Fresno, as well as 20 bags in 2015. Yet, the multifaceted speedster needs to take more chances in the big leagues.
The ability to get on base helps overall, and Kemp has a keen eye at the dish. Though he didn’t sport an impressive or encouraging average, he drew 14 walks 134 plate appearances two years ago. Meanwhile, he accrued 69 walks compared to 77 strikeouts in the previous two seasons in Triple-A.
Difficult decisions could arise when position players face injury – or suspension. However, Kemp could get the first call because he can occupy several positions.
Next: Two roster decisions remain before Training
And while his lack of power doesn’t mesh well with the rest of the guys on the roster, his speed could be invaluable for the Astros.