Can someone explain why Kemp is batting 8th?

[iltat]

Because, ya know, that solo home run finally gave Torre the impression that maybe this kid can hit?

[REBEL5 AC]

Controlled that 9th hole tonight...makes NO sense.

[bigh0rt]

They won the game... I know it sucks for his fantasy owners because they want more R/RBI Ops., etc., but clearly batting Kemp where he's bat all season hasn't hurt this team as they continue to have, by and far, the best record in baseball. 2/3 with a Run and SB last night - do you really care what spot in the lineup it came from? Why people keep expecting Torrie to tinker with his lineup majorly when his team is beating everybody is simply baffling to me.

[rippz]

Once Manny returns Pierre will no longer be in the lineup. Hudson will bat 1st and Kemp will be moved to 2nd. Kemp is most likely batting 8th or 9th right now because they want his speed to be a weapon and with Pierre and Hudson doing so well in the one and two hole there is no other option.

[iltat]

Why is Kemp batting 8th?

Because the pitcher was batting 9th. Now that it's AL time, he'll continue to bat 9th, just like he ought to.

[californiasunshine]

Once Manny returns Pierre will no longer be in the lineup. Hudson will bat 1st and Kemp will be moved to 2nd. Kemp is most likely batting 8th or 9th right now because they want his speed to be a weapon and with Pierre and Hudson doing so well in the one and two hole there is no other option.

Lol I seriously doubt that unless the Dodgers actually start losing significantly Kemp will bat in the top 3 for any extended period of time.

[The Artful Dodger]

I really don't have an answer as to why Torre keeps alternating bottom of the order spots with Kemp, but with that in mind, it wasn't a surprise to begin with that Torre would keep juggling the order (more so since Manny has been out).

That said, Kemp has continued to improve and produce. He's working counts better and he continues to walk more. Why he isn't moved up the order, who knows, perhaps it's a reputation thing for once being a hacker or as a baserunner who had made poor decisions (think there was such a moment in last Friday's game if I recall correctly). At any rate, I do believe management and Torre still rate Kemp very highly, but I think they view Kemp as a work in progress, who needs steady development, I reckon. Like h0rt said, Kemp is still producing no matter the spot he's in and I think with the Dodgers have a nice cushion in first, Torre probably feels he has time to tinker his lineup some. My guess is as good as yours really.