When the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Matt Kemp this past offseason, the move was purely salary-based and he was not expected to be starting or even on the roster come Opening Day.
But the Dodgers were unable to trade Kemp and after a solid spring, he has become a key contributor on the team as one of their biggest offensive threats. Kemp has especially thrived with runners in scoring position.
His most-recent hit was an RBI single to drive in Justin Turner to help lead the Dodgers to a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Overall, the Dodgers as a team have struggled to hit with runners in scoring position this season, although Kemp has been an exception to that. He explained why he has been able to have some much success in those situations, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“Coming up through the Minor Leagues and my earlier days with the Dodgers, they always concentrated on hitting with runners in scoring position and getting ribbies,” Kemp said. “I try to lock in and get the big hits.”
Kemp is hitting .471 (16-for-34) with runners in scoring position this season, which is the highest average in all of baseball. Overall in 46 games on the season, he is batting .331/.368/.517 with five home runs and 21 RBI.
The 33-year-old is not only getting it done at the plate but has also been more than serviceable in the outfield, which was the biggest critique on him during the offseason when the Dodgers couldn’t find a trade partner.
Kemp has proven to be serviceable in left field and also spelled Yasiel Puig in right field. In addition to contributing at the plate, Kemp made another diving catch in left field on Tuesday to turn back the clock.
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