Fantasy Analysis: Matt Kemp vs. Player B | The Golden Sombrero Baseball Blog | MLB, Fantasy, College & High School Baseball News

Fantasy Analysis: Matt Kemp vs. Player B

It has been an extremely long season for Matt Kemp and an even longer season for his fantasy owners.  Coming off All-Star caliber seasons in both 2008 and 2009, Kemp was regarded as a top 5 fantasy outfielder and top 10 overall player headed into the 2010 season.  According to ESPN, Kemp’s average draft position this season was 8.8, and the only other outfielder with a higher average draft position was the Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun(4.9).

Needless to say, Kemp has been a major disappointment in 2010, falling well short of the career highs–runs, hits, home runs, RBI, stolen bases, OPS–that he established in 2009.  With the season almost over, Kemp’s fantasy owners will be forced to reflect on their decision to draft him in the top 10, when players like Carl Crawford and Josh Hamilton were still available.

However, I can sympathize with those who drafted the Dodgers outfielder.  Had I not selected Ryan Braun with the 3rd overall pick in our league and instead drafted a corner infielder, I would have undoubtedly snatched up Kemp with my next pick had he still been available.

To put Kemp’s lackluster season into perspective, here is how his current numbers compare to another National League outfielder, who for the time being will simply be referred to as Player B:

Matt Kemp:  569 AB, 76 R, 142 H, 25 2B, 6 3B, 23 HR, 77 RBI, 19 SB, 51 BB

Player B:      487 AB, 84 R, 121 H, 18 2B, 5 3B, 20 HR, 72 RBI, 25 SB, 48 BB

Matt Kemp:  .248/.308/.433 – .741 OPS

Player B:      .248/.319/.429 – .748 OPS

Matt Kemp:  1.9 oWAR

Player B:      1.8 oWAR

As you can see, very little separates Kemp and Player B in terms of offensive production; a case could even be made that Player B has had a better season than Kemp.  Not bad for a guy who had an average draft position of 218.1.  Yet, being able to acquire a player like player B is one of the many reasons why fantasy baseball, as well as Major League Baseball, is so highly competitive and unpredictable.

For the last two months, Player B has been the third outfielder on my fantasy roster and has nicely complemented my corner outfield tandem of Ryan Braun and Shin-Soo Choo.  He has displayed an elite combination of power and speed that leaves a sour taste in the mouths of those who made Kemp a top 10 priority.

So who is this mysterious Player B?

Well, it’s none other than Drew Stubbs.

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