Dodgers: Biggest takeaways from the first weekend of Spring Training

Matt Kemp might actually be the starting left fielder

Is this an overreaction to Matt Kemp hitting a home run in his second at-bat since returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers? No, I promise. At the end of the day, the most important takeaway from Spring Training is going to be how Kemp can handle his own in the field. Kemp is notoriously a bad fielder which has made his large contract even worse.

The Dodgers understandably want to see Kemp make improvements in left field. If he does, he could be a decent option in the lineup for the Dodgers or could simply be easier to trade. Regardless, the Dodgers can only get something out of Kemp if his fielding improves.

However, it was still awesome to see Kemp homer wearing Dodger blue again. It sent me back to 2011, it brought back memories for every Dodger fan.

Despite the bad defense and the hype surrounding Kemp’s first home run, the veteran outfielder actually looks to be the best option to start in left field in Opening Day.

Two weeks ago that would have been Andrew Toles. However, the Dodgers are reportedly taking things slow with Toles as he comes back from an ACL injury. Joc Pederson is an option, but his hitting is worse than Kemp and his fielding is not much better.

Kemp’s biggest competition may be Alex Verdugo. However, if Seager does indeed need to miss time to start the season, Chris Taylor moving to short will open space for Verdugo in center. Thus, all of a sudden, the guy that was not even supposed to be a Dodger come Opening Day may actually be the starting left fielder.