If someone saw Tony Kemp randomly walking in a store, they probably would not think anything of it. How could you blame them?
Kemp stands 5’6 and is looking up to others most of the time. But hey, that doesn’t stop him from competing at a high level on the diamond.
The Oakland Athletics second baseman had one of his best offensive performances of the season recently for one of the top teams in the AL West.
On May 20, Kemp put together an impressive performance at the plate, going 2-for-3 and hitting his first home run of the 2021 season against the Houston Astros.
LAUNCH IT @tonykemp! ? pic.twitter.com/JuieH2txZ6
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 20, 2021
Whenever he’s on the field, there’s a good chance he’s the shortest guy out there. But that’s something Kemp does not care about one bit.
From May 8 to May 20, Kemp posted a .357 batting average, with five hits and three runs scored.
When his number has been called, our MLB bro has delivered on occasion and pretty soon he’s going to become an everyday player if he can keep this up.
The start to the 2021 season did not go as Kemp envisioned. He went hitless in seven straight games and could not seem to get it right at the plate.
But towards the end of April, he saw some success at the plate. Kemp went on a three-game hitting streak and during that stretch, he took his batting average above .200.
Kemp joined the A’s in 2020, appearing in 49 games and finished with a .247 batting average. Before joining the A’s, he spent time with the Chicago Cubs and the Houston Astros ( who drafted him out of Vanderbilt in the fifth round of the 2013 MLB draft.)
When Kemp made his MLB debut in 2016, he was filled with joy.
“It was a special moment, even a more special moment being in Nashville and having my family and friends and teachers being able to be a part of that moment with me,” Kemp said in an MLB.com article from 2016. “It was pretty cool.”
While he was in Houston, he became a fan favorite.
This man caught media attention back in 2018 during the ALCS playoffs after making a spectacular catch in the outfield against the Astros.
One thing this brother knows how to do and that is play defense, whether he’s in the infield or outfield.
In college, Kemp was one of the most captivating players at Vanderbilt. He was an All-American and was named SEC Player of the Year in 2013. All doing this while being 5’6.
See you don’t have to be the tallest guy around to have success. Just ask Kemp.
He’s been playing baseball his entire life and has fulfilled his dream of making it to the big leagues.
While he posts a .232 batting average through 28 games, Kemp continues to play fearlessly, whether he’s at the plate or in the field.
The A’s will look to continue to stay atop of the AL West and players like Kemp will surely play a big role down the line. So make sure to keep an eye out for our MLB bro.