The second base position was a big question mark for the head of the A in the MLB season 2020.
For the spring training session, the main need of the team was a left-handed bat in the field, in particular on plateau with Franklin Barreto, who, when he invents it at the premier league level, plays a game -change could be for a whole lineup.
But Barreto has not had much chance this season, not with Tony Kemp around. He changed everything. Through two-plus weeks of the season, it appears that those second basic questions have been answered.
On Saturday, Chad Pinder got the start on the second just like he did on opening day, but Kemp did a sensational job to fill in as needed, and not just as a runner on second base when the A’s put her in extras innings – this has been the case lately.
In 10 games this season, Kemp beats .316 / .500 / .316 with two stolen bases, and that on-base percentage is boosted by a 25.9 percent walking speed. Not to mention, in the month of August alone, he is 6-for-12 away with a 1,147 OPS and is batting .500.
“Tony also plays very well, so we’re comfortable with both boys,” A’s manager Bob Melvin told reporters after Saturday’s 3-1 win over the Houston Astros.
Before the season, Kemp was one of many options at the time weighing in on second bases for the A’s, and now he’s splitting time with Pinder.
Even with the prospect of Jorge Mateo moving to the San Diego Padres, it seemed like a difficult decision to make with Kemp being thrown into the mix with Barreto and Rule 5 addition Vimael Machin there as well.
But Melvin has not forgotten her.
“Barreto and Machin are the guys who are not getting a ton of bats at the moment, but at some point they will be called up whether it’s an injury, or it’s a day, and they’re both working hard to get ready. stay, ”Melvin said.
In addition to the production on the record, Kemp has worked beautifully with the team as a whole.
[RELATED: Marcus Semien’s hard work sets tone, culture for A’s]Only with the A’s for a short time did Kemp realize that the A’s wanted to learn about the “+1 Effect” campaign he launched, and his fun, playful personality blends perfectly with the tone the team has always set . Productivity is an added bonus.
“Right now we want how we do it with Tony and Chad,” Melvin added. “They both contribute on both sides to profits.”
