Dodgers: Who Will be the Dodgers Biggest X-Factor in 2018?

Matt Kemp

It seems kind of weird to call a former runner-up in MVP voting a potential x-factor but that is where we are in 2018.  Matt Kemp was supposed to be traded or released when the Dodgers acquired him but he keeps hitting and could wind up as the every day left fielder to begin the season.  There is still a chance he could be traded or released at some point this season but it doesn’t appear that it will happen anytime soon.

Kemp has four home runs this spring and a .333 batting average through almost three weeks of spring action.  Although his defense still appears a bit shaky, the Dodgers are likely going to hope Kemp’s slimmed down physique will help him get to more balls in the outfield.  There is no question that Kemp still has life in his bat, he slugged 19 home runs in 115 games last season so Kemp’s success in LA will be tied directly to how well he can play the outfield.

On top of the whirlwind offseason coming off a World Series loss, the Dodgers threw all us Dodgers fans through the feels by acquiring Matt Kemp and then releasing information that he would most likely be let go.  Now Kemp appears to be winning back the hearts of Dodger fans everywhere with each home run this spring.  If it carries over into the regular season, there is a chance that beast mode might be back in LA to help drive the Dodgers to another World Series run.