Who Would You Rather Have: Justin Upton or Matt Kemp?

by Ray Guilfoyle on Sep 3, 2009 10:00 AM EDT in Baseball

I was listening to XM Radio's baseball channel on my way home from work this evening, and Mike Ferrin ended his 1 hour show saying "it will be fun to discuss who would you rather have: Justin Upton or Matt Kemp?" . I think someone asked the same question in Jim Callis' ESPN chat yesterday. And then I was reading Eric Seidman's chat over at Baseball Prospectus as he was asked the following question:

ssjames (Orange, CA ): How many players would take over the next 10 years ahead of Matt Kemp? Would there be any other outfielders on that list?

Eric Seidman: Justin Upton would be an outfielder ahead of him on my list for sure.

OK. I think everyone knows I am a huge Dodgers fan, and Kemp is my favorite player. It killed me to deal him in the UBA league with one more year left on his long-term contract, but I was playing for this year, and got alot back in return.

After Kemp his his 4th HR in his last 4 games on Tuesday night, I started thinking about a possible 30-30 season for Kemp....THIS year. Kemp hit 9 HRs in the month of August. He needs 7 more HRs and 1 SB to reach 30 in each category.

Upton has had a breakout year at the young age of 22. Here are their stats year-to-date:

Player	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	KO	SB	BA	OBP	SLG
Kemp, Matt CF LA	493	81	156	23	87	47	118	29	0.316	0.375	0.525
Upton, Justin RF ARI	422	76	133	23	72	47	109	18	0.315	0.385	0.569

Upton has hit 3rd most of the season, and until recently Kemp has hit 7th or 8th most of the season. I believe next season will be a better barometer for what Kemp can do as he will more than likely hit in the middle of the Dodgers lineup where he belongs. This is not to take anything away from Upton who is a great young hitter.

Their stats are VERY similar, with Upton showing more power, and Kemp more speed. I think both will be 1st round picks in NL only leagues next year, and should go 1st-2nd round in mixed leagues.

Yes, I am high on both.

Poll

Who would you rather have: Justin Upton or Matt Kemp??

Upton: he can hit 40 bombs as soon as next year.

102 votes

Kemp: he will go 30-30 next year, if not this year.

95 votes

197 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Tough call

In fantasy baseball 2010, I’ll take Kemp because he is a better bet to continue stealing bases. Prior to this season, Upton was a Robinson Cano type on the bases. I’m not convinced his 2008 totals are anything but a fluke.

Nicotine patching at Rotisserie Musings

by faketeams on Sep 3, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

Kemp by a nose

it’s a very close call, but Kemp plays in a better lineup and if he’s in the middle of the lineup next year, then his numbers should be much better than this season. Both are phenomenal, though.

However, if one believes that power will be at a greater premium next year, I’d go with Upton as I think 40 homers is possible with him while maintaining his other numbers.

Bonds stands alone.

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by nostocksjustbonds on Sep 3, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

Can I say both? I have both in my NL-only 12 team keeper league.

by KDean75 on Sep 3, 2009 12:28 PM EDT reply actions

Kemp

If I get the #1 pick in my NL only league draft next season, I wouldn’t hesitate to take Kemp. If you compare his stats this year to Hanley Ramirez the past few years, Kemp has pretty comparable stats…save the 51 SBs a few years back. I will have a post on this in the near future.
I have watched Kemp since he was called up and I have seen MAJOR improvement in his approach at the plate.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Sep 3, 2009 9:34 PM EDT reply actions