Baseball Prospectus | | Eyewitness Scouting Report


	Tony Kemp Born: 10/31/1991 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Right
	Height: 5' 6"	Weight: 160
	Primary Position: 2B

Short, compact frame; 5'6" tops; physically maxed out; zero projection left; what you see is what you get.

Evaluator	Ron Shah
Report Date	07/03/2014
Dates Seen	04/22/14; 04/23/14; 04/27/14; 06/12/14; 06/19/14;
Affiliate	Lancaster JetHawks (High A, Astros)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Video
2016	Moderate	40	Yes

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	40	Flat back elbow; quick leg lift; hands are always in position to hit; strong approach at the plate; controls the strike-zone; hits the ball where it came from; slap hitter; contact driven approach; flat, one-plane swing; singles hitter; question his plate coverage on the outer third because of short arms; can be exploited with velocity on the hands.
Power	30	Batting practice raw power is 30-grade at best; but plays down in live games due to approach and swing; power won't be a part of his game; drives lack carry; swing doesn't possess leverage; linear, one-plane swing; won't be able to ambush.
Baserunning/Speed	55	Consistently clocks 4.15 home-to-first on digs; short, high effort strides; takes some time to reach top gear; aggressive runner on the bases; aware of surroundings when going first-to-third or second-to-home.
Glove	55	Displays plus range at second base; better when ranging towards first base; quick first step; plus instincts; capable of making athletic plays; displays impressive body control; works very well with shortstop on turning double plays; can rush the pivot due to lack of arm strength.
Arm	40	Below-average arm strength; quick arm action; throws lack the necessary carry when ranging towards the bag; arm strength limits positional flexibility to right-side of the infield.

Kemp is a player I want to like more, because he's a treat to watch with his high energy play style and pure love for the game. But, the tools are underwhelming when extrapolated to a major league setting. The ceiling is as a fringe major league second baseman, who gets to the big leagues and stays there in short stints as a replacement level player. Ultimately, I see an organizational player.

There is no standout tool, and the positional value is limited. The below-average arm combined with minimal power output doesn't allow for a profile elsewhere on the diamond. His ability to control the strike-zone is impressive at High-A, but because he is non-threat for power, major league quality pitchers will be able to throw more strikes and challenge him on both sides of the plate. The speed isn't game-changing, let alone at an impact level, for him to get the most out of his bat-to-ball skills or provide extra value on the bases through swiping bags or taking an extra base.