Dodgers' Kemp Nominated For 'Bounceback Player Of The Year'
Matt Kamlet, CBSLA.com
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — For the first time in a long time, Matt Kemp has something to be refreshingly optimistic about.
The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder has been nominated for the Gibby Awards' Bounceback Player of the Year, after two consecutive years plagued with injuries that threatened to declare an end to Kemp's ultimate potential.
2014 saw Kemp play in 150 games as he brought his average up to .287 with 25 homers and 89 RBIs. His home run count and RBIs, along with his 77 runs scored, all mark highs since his 2011 season, which statistically surpassed that year's National League MVP, Ryan Braun.
Kemp managed all of 73 games in 2013, following three trips to the disabled list and batting .270 with six homers and 33 RBI. His 2012 season, which started off on an absolute tear, marked the beginning of Kemp's struggles. After becoming the first Dodger to record three straight multi-hit games since 2000, and leading the Dodgers to their best 10-game start since the championship 1981 season, Kemp was placed on the DL with a hamstring injury.
The injury put an end to his streak of 399 consecutive games played, which had marked the longest in the majors at that time.
After returning from the disabled list, Kemp promptly re-injured the hamstring while running the bases.
Despite the injuries, Kemp was voted into the All-Star game, and participated in the Home Run Derby, in which he managed a single homer.
On August 28, Kemp crashed into the outfield wall at Coors Field in a game against the division-rival Colorado Rockies, suffering extensive injuries to both his knee and his shoulder.
After undergoing offseason surgery, Kemp started his 2013 season poorly, and was booed by fans as early as May 27, on which he went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts. Then, just as he began to heat up, he rolled his ankle while crossing home plate, and was placed back on the DL in late July.
A crowded Dodger outfield had made Kemp's agent, Dave Stewart, state publicly that he expected the former star outfielder to be traded before the 2014 season.
He remained with the team, and after the 2014 All-Star break, led the Majors with a .606 slugging percentage.
Kemp is nominated along with Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto, Giants pitcher Tim Hudson, Marlins third baseman Casey McGehee, Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau, Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro, Pirates pitcher Edinson Volquez, Cardinals reliever Pat Neshek, and Mariners pitcher Chris Young.
Voting takes place on the MLB's Gibbys website.
