Matt

Kemp

Kemp tagged Andrew Heaney for his solo shot in the second inning, tying the game at 1-1. It would be his only hit in four at-bats on the afternoon. He also struck out twice. For the season, the veteran outfielder is now hitting .252/.325/.456 with six long balls and 21 RBI.

Kemp tied the game in the sixth inning with a two-run shot off of Zack Davies. The former MVP candidate has performed adequately in his limited with the Rockies, and he’s hitting .263 with a .792 OPS in 35 games. It’ll be curious to see what kind of role Kemp has in 2021, and if that role will be with the Rockies.

The homer was his first since Aug. 2. Kemp has been a liability since a nice first week for Colorado, but that won’t necessarily stop the Rockies from using him as a DH and left fielder. He’s batting .246/.333/.421 right now.

Kemp posted on his Instagram account that he is “protesting tonight’s game in honor of all of my fallen brothers and sisters at the hands of police brutality.” As of now, it looks like the Rockies’ game versus the D-backs will go on.

Kemp had a nice first week, but he’s 8-for-39 with one double and no homers since Aug. 4. Even with David Dahl out, there’s no good reason for the Rockies to play him against any right-handers. Either Brendan Rodgers or Garrett Hampson should have been in there over him tonight. It would have improved the defense, too.

Man does he love hitting at Coors Field. Kemp’s two-run blast came off of Padres’ starter Zach Davies in the fourth inning -- extending the Rockies’ lead to 3-0. Kemp also singled in the ballgame, finishing the afternoon 2-for-4. He has been impressive in his limited work thus far, slashing .385/.500/.923 with two homers and six RBI. He’s worth a look when the Rockies are playing against left-handed pitching.

Kemp slugged a tape-measure solo shot to right-center field off righty Cal Quantrill in the third inning. It was his lone hit in three at-bats and his first round-tripper in a Rockies uniform. The 35-year-old designated hitter still has some pop left in his bat, but he’s no longer an everyday player at this advanced stage of his career. He’s still useful in daily fantasy formats as a lefty-mashing specialist.

Kemp got into Friday night’s opener as a pinch-hitter but this will be his first start since joining the Rox. He’s likely going to see a decent amount of time at DH for the club but is also fighting with a few other worthy hitters for at-bats on a crowded Rockies roster. When in the lineup, though, Kemp is still worth a look for the fact that he’s still a capable hitter and will play half his games at Coors Field.

The Rockies scooped up Kemp after Ian Desmond opted out of the 2020 season. The veteran outfielder should see some at-bats mostly versus lefties, probably as a designated hitter.

Chris Owings and Daniel Bard got the same good news on Friday at Rockies camp. Kemp signed a minor league contract with Colorado in late June after being left off the Marlins’ player pool. The veteran will likely serve as a backup and/or platoon option at DH and both corner outfield spots.