Nice article in Forbes about Kemp

Thanks for the link. It goes to page 2, however. This link should go to page 1.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/moisek...utfielder-tony-kemp-provides-it/#66a49aa9370f

 

Kemp can't play shortstop (can he?)--that is really what you need an infield utility player to be able to play well defensively-- I thought he was more just a 2nd baseman/outfielder? Not sure he's the right Marwin "replacement"

 

Tony Kemp doesn't provide any defensive value, or versatility. He's a 2B and he plays a tolerable LF. You can't really play him anywhere else. If Tucker performs, getting his bat in the lineup with any regularity will be difficult, and his bat most certainly deserves to be in the lineup.

 

Nice find, thanks for posting.

Ease up on the Marwin comparisons though. He's what the article said: a 2B, an ok LF and a situationally serviceable CF. I did chuckle when he said the words "right field".

 

Tucker/Springer can play CF and let Kemp get some time in LF.

Four or five times a year he will play some 2b.

I wonder if he could learn to play 3b four or five times a year?

 

Arm strength has consistently been unresponsive to coaching.

The same issue prevents him from playing SS or RF.

 

Kemp would need the pitcher as a cutoff man to play 3B.

And we have no real idea how Tucker can handle CF. There may be a reason he hasn't played there this year really (4 G, 2 GS, 26 innings).

Arm strength is a lot like speed, you can make small improvements but you've either got it or you don't.

@bobrek: yes

 

Leg speed?

 

Well, as of right now, kemp is a better player than gonzalez, so there's that.

 

Could be an interesting Gattis replacement at DH. Then LF/2B as needed.

 

No he’s not.

Kemp is a 3rd division regular at 2B. He’s a AAAA player otherwise, a guy you love to have in AAA in case of an injury. It’s acceptable to have him on the bench on a team like the current Astros with versatile players in the everyday lineup (i.e. Bregman can play 2B/SS in addition to 3B and both Reddick and Springer can play all 3 OF spots).

 

I've thought about this, with the total dearth of great (or even good) DHs, and given that the Stros will be getting pop from a couple of non-traditional positions (2B/SS/CF), and if Tucker adds some pop to the black hole that's been LF, I don't see why you couldn't run Kemp out at DH part-time next year (given that he keeps producing at around this level).

Data point, with all sample size caveats: Kemp's OPS at DH would rank 6th among AL teams', slightly ahead of...Houston.

eta: and as has been said before, I absolutely love having a contact oriented, OB oriented, guy with some speed hitting 9th before the Big4 (has Yuli made it 5?) come up.

 

yes, he is.

Better 2018 Slg, OBP, OPS and OPS+

Much better quality of AB

Marwin is a better player overall

Not as of now.

 

We don't know what he is yet, he's had a good run so far but sustainability is the big question with all young players. And yeah, he's not a better player than Marwin at present.

 

There's one mans opinion

I think there are a lot of teams Kemp could start at 2B for including the D-Backs,Brewers/Cards.

I get that you dont like Kemp, but he's much more than a AAAA player.

That's guys like White/Wallace/Kemmer etc...

 

Agreed, he's not as good as Marwin right now because, A. Marwin has performed in the playoffs. B. Marwin has more positional versatility.

Kemp does have value, I love his approach at the plate. He knows who he is and doesn't try to do to much. He also has a good eye/speed.

 

We have no reason to think he can't be a really good MLB starting 2B. You make him sound like some mediocre scrub on borrowed time.

It's not his fault he's in the same organization as Jose Altuve.

 

Kemp will never have much defensive value or hit for power, those 2 things are certain. He’s only a slightly above average base runner. Which means all of his value is dependent on his on-base skill making up for his lack of power and defense. He’s a player with a very limited ceiling, which is about what he’s done this season, where he’s been worth 0.3 fWAR in 40 games. His absolute peak potential is ~1.8 fWAR over a season as a starting 2B. He’s not a scrub; 3rd division starters and AAAA guys are still really badass at baseball, but that’s what Kemp is.

 

Truth.

Kemp's ideal situation is playing 2nd base daily somewhere. Wouldn't be surprised to see him get traded soon while he is hot and has perceived "value".

Mediocre defender, mediocre baserunner and good OBP. His bat only plays at middle infield positions or catcher and 2nd base is really the only spot among those spots that he can really handle (he can handle LF but I don't think he brings enough offense to the table to really be regular there).