Los Angeles Dodgers: Matt Kemp making a strong case opening day nod

Matt Kemp is back in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform, and he has hit like his old Dodger self this spring. Will his spring training success lead to an opening day start?

Spring training does mean something. Maybe not for guaranteed starters like Cory Seager and Cody Bellinger, but there are many players that have something to prove throughout the spring. This applies mostly to minor leaguers that are trying to break into the big leagues; however, every team has a few veterans that are trying to prove their major league worth. One Los Angeles Dodgers player, in particular, Matt Kemp.

Kemp was acquired from the Atlanta Braves earlier this offseason. He is coming off a 2017 season in which he slashed .276/.318/.463 in 115 games. Also, he knocked 19 home runs and drove in 64 runners. Those are solid numbers for a player considered to be on the back end of his career.

The Dodgers acquired Matt Kemp primarily for economic purposes. They needed to ditch the salaries of Adrian Gonzalez, Scott Kazmir, and Brandon McCarthy. Los Angeles didn’t necessarily need Kemp as they already had Chris Taylor, Yasiel Puig, Andrew Toles, and Joc Pederson in the outfield mix.

Anyhow, why not see what Kemp had to offer in the spring before unjustifiably trading him? After all, he is a two-time NL all-star, a two-time silver slugger, and he has more than proved he can still swing the bat at a productive rate.

The Dodgers have given Kemp plenty of opportunities this spring; he has not disappointed. In 38 at-bats, Kemp has four home runs, a .366 OBP, a .342 batting average, and a very impressive 1.076 OPS. He has more than established himself in the outfield mix, to the point of Manager Dave Roberts admitting he is keeping an open mind to Kemp being the team’s starting left fielder on opening day.

Matt Kemp would have to beat out Toles and Pederson. Both Toles and Pederson have more pep in their step at much younger ages; therefore, Kemp has his back against the wall from a defensive standpoint. But as the great baseball saying goes, if you can hit, you can play. The way Kemp has swung the bat this spring, the Dodgers may not have a choice but to play him.

A couple of factors need taking into account regarding Matt Kemp. First off, Kemp’s durability is in question. He played in only 115 games last season with the Braves, and he’s shown to be prone to many minor injuries. Los Angeles may not want to overwork him early on. He also seemed to wear down as last season progressed.

More from Call to the Pen

Kemp’s batting average dropped 50 points in the second half of last year. Along with it, his OBP plummeted 68 points. However, one season is just a sample size. His drop in production may be overblown, but it is certainly something the Dodgers are aware of.

Secondly, Matt Kemp’s splits were drastically better against right-handed pitchers last year. He hit .284 against righties as opposed to .250 against lefties.

He also slugged an impressive .494 when facing righties, against a .354 when facing lefties. This puts Los Angeles in a tough predicament, as Toles and Pederson are both left-handed hitters.

Oddly enough, Kemp’s splits were much better against left-handed pitchers than right-handed pitchers in 2016. It seems the Dodgers will have to see which Matt Kemp shows up in 2018, whether it’s the one who feasts on righties or the one who feasts on lefties — if Kemp decides he wants to crush both arms this season, watch out! The ball club will suddenly have yet another all-star in uniform.

Next: Comparing the Arrieta and Darvish deals

We’ll see what the Los Angeles Dodgers decide to do come opening day. Politics and preference aside, Kemp has earned the starting left field spot this spring. Whether or not the position transitions into a platoon, Kemp should be in left field on opening day. He’s a beloved Dodger, he’s experienced, and he’s ripped the cover off the ball this spring.

Home / Los Angeles Dodgers