Tony Kemp Stats & Scouting Report

AB	9
AVG	0
OBP	.1
SLG	0
HR	0

Full name Anthony Allen Kemp
Born 10/31/1991 in Franklin, TN
Profile Ht.: 5'6" / Wt.: 160 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Vanderbilt
Debut 05/17/2016
Drafted in the 5th round (137th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2013 (signed for $250,000).

View Draft Report

East Carolina catcher Corey Kemp was the Conference USA player of the year in 2008, and his younger brother Tony has been a similarly significant college player, helping Vanderbilt reach the 2011 College World Series and igniting this year's team after moving to second base from the outfield. Kemp stands just 5-foot-6, 160 pounds, but he is bursting with energy. He's a plus runner who lacks power but does everything teams want from a leadoff hitter: working walks, slashing line drives, making consistent contact and stealing bases. He has enough pop to keep pitchers honest and was leading the Southeastern Conference (.411) in batting, on-base percentage (.498) and stolen bases (27). Scouts have noticed his improvement at second base, where he is rough around the edges but has a knack for making plays. Some still like him better in center field or as a utility player. Signability will be key to whether Kemp goes out in the first five rounds or returns for his senior year.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has proven that a 5-foot-6 hitter can be a star. Now the 5-foot-6 Kemp, the 2013 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year while at Vanderbilt, is trying to follow in his footsteps. Altuve looms over any chance Kemp has to be a regular. That's because Kemp's best bet for regular play would be as a fringy defensive second baseman who hits enough for a team to live with his defense. In the outfield, his below-average range in center field and his below-average arm in right limits him to left field. Because of that, Kemp served largely as a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner and occasional left fielder in Houston. He has the short stroke from the left side and bat control to be an above-average or even plus hitter, albeit with well below-average power. He is a plus runner, though he's not fast enough to be an elite basestealer. Kemp is likely to begin 2017 at Triple-A Fresno.
Kemp led off the 2015 Futures Game by drawing a walk. It was a fitting example of what he does best-- get on base, serve as a top-of-the-lineup spark plug and score runs. The 2013 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, Kemp has some strength in his frame despite his small stature. He not only draws walks thanks in part to a small strike zone but has enough bat speed to spray line drives. Kemp has 30-grade power at best, which begs the question of whether his plummeting walk rate at Triple-A is foreshadowing of a hitter who doesn't provide enough thump to force pitchers to respect him. But many scouts believe he has at least a plus hit tool to go with his patience. He's a fringe-average defender at second, relying on quick-twitch athleticism more than fluidity--a below-average arm doesn't help. In the outfield, he's well below-average in center and fringe-average in left thanks to poor routes and reads. Kemp's glove may need more time to catch up to the bat. He has time to try to become playable in center, which would dramatically help his chances of a roster spot. Long term, his glove will determine his big league impact.
The strong, athletic Kemp will always face questions because of his size--he's listed at the same 5-foot-6 height as Jose Altuve, but he appears slighter--and like the Astros' all-star second baseman, he's driven by his doubters. The Southeastern Conference player of the year in 2013, Kemp walked more than he struck out in college, then led the Astros system in batting (.316) in 2014 while walking (73) more than he struck out (67). Kemp controls the bat head and makes consistent line-drive contact, though he has below-average power. His play at second base is fringe-average thanks to a below-average arm, but his hands and feet are adequate. He's a plus runner, and the Astros will give him time in center field--he played some left field as a freshman at Vanderbilt'to increase his versatility. Kemp's makeup is off the charts, but he'll have to maximize his tools to be an everyday regular. He could jump to Triple-A Fresno in 2015.

Draft Prospects

East Carolina catcher Corey Kemp was the Conference USA player of the year in 2008, and his younger brother Tony has been a similarly significant college player, helping Vanderbilt reach the 2011 College World Series and igniting this year's team after moving to second base from the outfield. Kemp stands just 5-foot-6, 160 pounds, but he is bursting with energy. He's a plus runner who lacks power but does everything teams want from a leadoff hitter: working walks, slashing line drives, making consistent contact and stealing bases. He has enough pop to keep pitchers honest and was leading the Southeastern Conference (.411) in batting, on-base percentage (.498) and stolen bases (27). Scouts have noticed his improvement at second base, where he is rough around the edges but has a knack for making plays. Some still like him better in center field or as a utility player. Signability will be key to whether Kemp goes out in the first five rounds or returns for his senior year.

Minor League Top Prospects

Kemp, the 2013 Southeastern Conference player of the year while at Vanderbilt, was promoted in June to Fresno after a hot start to the season at Double-A Corpus Christi. His strong season continued in the PCL and, along with teammate Mark Appel, he represented the Astros in the Futures Game. Because of his short, 5-foot-6 stature, Kemp has had to prove himself at every level. He does a good job of playing to his strengths as a hitter. He has a disciplined approach at the plate and controls the barrel well, though he has minimal power. A plus runner, he is a threat to steal, and swiped 20 bases in 71 games with Fresno. Kemp primarily has played second base as a professional, but the Astros have also used him in center field. He's a solid defender at both positions and has the versatility to be at least a utility player. If he's able to keep hitting, however, he has the tools to play every day.
Kemp topped the California League in hits (99) and ranked among the leaders in batting average (.336) and stolen bases (28) when he earned a late-June promotion to Corpus Christi. He proved that his Lancaster production was no mirage, hitting .300 in August while showing his aggressive approach plays away from the hitter-friendly Cal League. Kemp's bat is ahead of his glove. He uses barrel control, strength and quick hands to put a surprising charge in the ball, and he can hit homers to right or left field. He's a prototype leadoff hitter who combines plus speed and an aggressive approach on the basepaths. Kemp is a raw fielder who relies on athleticism to succeed at second base--a position currently manned by another diminutive sparkplug in Houston. The Astros will give him a shot at center field but aren't confident he can play there on an everyday basis. Kemp should at least fill a utility role in the big leagues and will go as far as his bat will take him.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the California League in 2014

Career Transactions

Louisville Bats released LF Tony Kemp.
LF Tony Kemp assigned to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds signed free agent LF Tony Kemp to a minor league contract.
St. Paul Saints released LF Tony Kemp.
LF Tony Kemp assigned to St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins signed free agent LF Tony Kemp to a minor league contract.
LF Tony Kemp elected free agency.
Baltimore Orioles designated LF Tony Kemp for assignment.
LF Tony Kemp assigned to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds signed free agent LF Tony Kemp to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.