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Dodgers: The Three Biggest Surprises of the First Half

By Michael Wittman

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 02: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is congratulated for his 3 run home run by Logan Forsythe #11 and Max Muncy #13 as Jacob Stallings #58 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on at the plate in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 02: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is congratulated for his 3 run home run by Logan Forsythe #11 and Max Muncy #13 as Jacob Stallings #58 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on at the plate in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 06: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an rbi single in the fourth inning during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on July 6, 2018, in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

The resurgence of Matt Kemp

Last winter when the Dodgers acquired Matt Kemp, the common thought was that the Dodgers were going to eat money and trade Kemp away, or outright release him.  After a strong start to spring training, Kemp slumped towards the end of spring training and it appeared he was going to be what everyone expected, an all hit, no field outfielder.

Then the regular season started and Kemp was arguably the best Dodger hitter until Max Muncy arrived and starting his power surge.  Kemp has slowed down a bit over the last few weeks but he still finishes the first half with fifteen home runs and 60 RBI’s.  Matt Kemp also has hit for better average this season and currently carries a .310 batting average with him.  Kemp is also the leading hitter with runners in scoring position, with a .429 average.

The only part of Matt Kemp’s game that is still below average is his defense, but even that has improved in 2018.  Kemp’s weight loss has allowed him to make some spectacular plays in left field and get to plays that he would not have been anywhere close to the last few seasons.

While Kemp carries a -6 DRS rating, he has hit and showed enough in the outfield to be an average outfielder defensively.  In right field, Kemp actually has a positive DRS rating and a UZR/150 rating of 20.0 so Kemp has actually been a good right fielder.  Kemp will look to continue his improbable MVP run in the second half.

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