Matt Kemp

Matt Kemp
Keith Allison on Flickr · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Matt Kemp
Position	Outfielder
Bats	Right
Throws	Right
Birth date	23 September 1984
Birth place	Upland, California
Debutleague	MLB
Debutdate	April 2
Debutyear	2006
Debutteam	Los Angeles Dodgers
Finalleague	MLB
Finaldate	October 1
Finalyear	2019
Finalteam	Cincinnati Reds
Statleague	MLB
Stat1label	Batting average
Stat1value	.276
Stat2label	Home runs
Stat2value	191
Stat3label	Runs batted in
Stat3value	794

Matt Kemp

Matthew Ryan Kemp (born September 23, 1984) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball for multiple teams over a 14-year career. Known for a combination of power, speed, and arm strength, he was a central figure for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the late 2000s and early 2010s and later played for the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, and Colorado Rockies.

Early life and amateur career

Kemp was born in Upland, California and raised in the Inland Empire region near Rialto, California and Ontario, California, where he attended Upland High School. As a standout multi-sport athlete he played baseball alongside appearances in Little League World Series-affiliated programs and was scouted by organizations including the Dodgers' farm system and Major League Baseball scouting networks. He committed to professional baseball following standout summer performances in showcases affiliated with Perfect Game USA and Area Code Games, leading to selection in the 2003 MLB Draft.

Professional baseball career

After being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003, Kemp progressed through the Dodgers' minor league affiliates including stops with the Ogden Raptors, Vero Beach Dodgers, Chattanooga Lookouts, and Albuquerque Isotopes. He made his MLB debut on April 2, 2006, and established himself as a regular by 2008–2009 during seasons that included deep runs in the National League West and postseason appearances against clubs such as the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. A trade to the San Diego Padres in 2014 briefly reunited him with General Manager A.J. Preller-era moves, and subsequent free-agent and trade transactions sent him to the Atlanta Braves, where he contributed to pennant races in the National League East, and later to the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds. Kemp's professional tenure included rehabilitations through injury lists and stints on disabled list designations following injuries sustained in games against teams like the San Francisco Giants. He signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies organization and appeared in his final MLB season in 2019.

Playing style and statistics

Kemp combined power hitting with base-stealing speed; scouting reports compared his raw tools to other five-tool outfielders developed through systems including the Dodgers player development pipeline and evaluated by analysts at Baseball Prospectus and Fangraphs. Over his career he compiled a batting average near .276 with approximately 191 home runs and 794 runs batted in, while amassing over 200 stolen bases and posting multiple seasons with 30+ home runs and 30+ stolen bases. Defensively he patrolled right field and center field, registering outfield assists with throws that drew notice from commentators on ESPN and MLB Network. Advanced metrics from Wins Above Replacement calculations and seasonal analyses highlighted peak value in the 2011 season when he finished among leaders in offensive categories, while injury-affected seasons produced notable variance in rate statistics.

Awards and honors

Kemp received multiple recognitions including selections to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and finished high in voting for the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 2011. He earned Silver Slugger Award consideration, received Player of the Week honors during standout stretches, and was named to postseason-roster discussions during Dodgers playoff years. Local honors included community and team-specific awards presented by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and media outlets in the Los Angeles market.

Personal life

Kemp has family ties to the Inland Empire region of Southern California and has been publicly associated with teammates and contemporaries such as Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw, and Adrian Gonzalez during clubhouse eras in Los Angeles. Off the field he has managed endorsements and appearances with brands and events covered by sports media including Los Angeles Times and Sports Illustrated, and has navigated public discussions around contracts, trades, and injury recoveries with organizations like Major League Baseball Players Association.

Philanthropy and community involvement

Throughout his career Kemp supported charitable efforts through partnerships with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, community youth baseball clinics in San Diego and Atlanta, and appearances at fundraising events for causes promoted by teams and regional nonprofits. He has participated in youth outreach programs affiliated with MLB initiatives and local foundations aimed at providing sports opportunities in underserved communities, often working alongside former teammates and team-community relations departments.

Category:1984 births Category:Major League Baseball outfielders Category:Los Angeles Dodgers players Category:San Diego Padres players Category:Atlanta Braves players Category:New York Mets players Category:Cincinnati Reds players Category:Colorado Rockies players