40 for 40 Presents: Tony Kemp

Who Am I?

Tony Kemp

Second base / left field / wherever

Age: 25

Height: 5′ 6″

Weight: 165″

Bats left, throws right

How Did I Get Here?

Kemp was drafted by the Astros in the 5th round of the 2013 draft, and was first called up in May 2016.

Contract status:

Kemp has two option years remaining.

Why Am I Here?

Heck if I know. What makes this organization think that they can call up a second baseman who’s barely five feet tall, whose only appreciable skills are his speed and an ability to make contact, and think that he’ll amount to anything?

OK, so I guess if it works once, you should develop a backup.

What Are My Strengths?

Kemp has shown a plus hit tool in the minors, ranging from .300 to .350 batting average. He also is an eager base stealer, swing around 30 bags per full season.

Kemp is a decent second baseman, but seeing as we already have one of those pretty well entrenched, the Astros have started experimenting with him in left field.

What Are My Weaknesses?

In over 50 games in the majors, absolutely none of the above translated. Kemp barely hit .200, and in 40 times on base, only stole 2 bases.

Also, Kemp went only 10 for 18 stealing bases last year. One does worry that he’s making his way the only way he knows how, but it may be just a little bit more than catchers will allow.

Loves to hit: Kemp was a successful first pitch swinger, hitting .318 on the first pitch.

Hates to hit: Changeups, curveballs, sinkers, sliders… you name it, Kemp couldn’t handle offspeed pitches. He managed only 5 for 41 against all off speed offerings.

What is my future with the Astros?

Kemp will get every opportunity to show that he can adapt to major league pitching. Jose Altuve may not have convinced everyone that miniature second basemen are the new market inefficiency, so teams haven’t exactly demanded Kemp in a trade.

What is my projected 2017 performance?

Who else would I remind you of?

Hopefully, a poor man’s Jose Altuve.