Matt Kemp: Ready to be a superstar?

Look, no one's asking for much ... just absolute greatness. Just make my jaw drop, tingle the spine, save Pandora and figure out the healthcare mess.

It's the blessing and curse of being Matt Kemp.

It's not like Kemp didn't have a good season last year. He had a very good season. An absolutely terrific season.

But people rightly look at Kemp and see talent oozing. They see him bat .297, hit 26 home runs, drive in 101 runs, steal 34 bases and win a Gold Glove, and they think, "Wait until he really gets it going." They see an Enzo Ferrari purring along at 90 mph knowing there's so much more to give.

Of all the Dodgers' youthful hitters -- Andre Ethier, James Loney, Russell Martin -- Kemp is the one most often whispered about as a potential superstar.

"That's a compliment to me,'' Kemp said. "I'm not saying it's my goal to be a superstar, but it's to play at a high level like some of those other superstars. So if you want to label me a superstar, then I guess that's pretty cool.''

More than cool, it's close to a necessity. The Dodgers need someone from their youthful core to develop as a player who can elevate those around him. Maybe Manny Ramirez can do it again this season, but in the coming years there needs to be another.

Don't think, however, Kemp is burdened by expectations, uncomfortable by the growing spotlight.

"I just have to keep doing what I'm doing,'' he said. "I think the sky is the limit. I know I can reach higher expectations, more goals. I know what I'm capable of doing.''

Fantasy geeks already think Kemp has arrived. Ga-ga over his five-tool talents, he's already considered a top-10 player in preseason rankings.

"I don't even know how that works,'' he said. "I'm sure it's a lot of fun. I know a lot of my boys do all that fantasy basketball and football, but I don't know how the baseball works.''

Kemp seemed surprised to learn the major leagues weren't overflowing with players who can hit, hit with power, run the bases and play defense.

"I don't think there are a lot guys who can do all that,'' he said. "I used to think it wasn't that big of a deal
until I got up here and they told me how big a deal it was. I thought it was something a lot of guys can do, but not a lot of guys can do everything.''

Life is pretty good for Kemp these days. He's coming off his finest season and just signed a two-year contract for almost $11 million. And is reportedly dating recording artist Rihanna, though he told me: "We're just good friends.''

Good, of course, won't get it done for Kemp. Not when greatness is expected.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Matt Kemp attends the Jan. 16 Clippers-Cleveland Cavaliers game at Staples Center with Rihanna. Credit: Kevork Djanzsezian / Getty Images

Comments

[These Dodgers Suck]

I'll bet he CANT WAIT to play in pinstripes

[Kevin Suber]

Matt Kemp will only be 26 when this season comes near to the end. As a young player, Kemp has more room to grow. However, as an owner of Kemp in Fantasy keeper leagues, I would love to see this kid turn into a superstar for my personal gains in fantasy baseball and as a lifelong Dodger fan. The questions this year he can answer; will he be able to cut down on his strikeouts? Will he be the Dodgers best outfielder? Is 2010 his first .300-100-100-30-30 season? His #'s are better in the 7th and 8th hole, so can he change his patience in the higher spots of the order? Will Rhiana turn him into another Tony Romo? Will the money make him lazy and has he already reached his full potential? 2010 will be a fun year as a Dodger fan!!!

Batter up :D

KS

[berkowit28]

So he should be aiming to become "great friends" with Rihanna?

[Karl]

Matt was at the Laker's game last night. Every fan that either asked for a photo with him or autograph, he happily obliged. It's nice to see a budding young star understand how much his actions off the field of dreams affect the game we all love.

[Grandpa]

We all thought Russell Martin would develop into an offensive monster, too...

[Jess]

Don't care if Matty plays in pinstripes as long as Tim Lincecum goes with him! LMAO

Seriously tho, he does need to cut down on the K's. With his speed, if he puts half of those strikeouts into play he'll have an extra 20-30 hits a year. Not to mention more runs, rbi's, stolen bases. And of course WINS.

[Dallas]

His high K's, as some here have mentioned & his mistakes on the basepaths have to be reduced, before superstar can be laid at his feet & agree Grandpa, Martin, has been a bust & as I have stated in other posts, all his #'s have gone down, since his first season, except for his K's & especially with runners in scoring position & he takes yet another Strike 3 but Dread signs him again, thankfully for only a year.

[singlesafety]

super star ? How about just a good journeyman, like last
season, doesn't put himself in a position to draw errors.
Ethier more the s/s.....James Loney will have the best year,

[Dodger Dave]

Kemp will go 40/40/125 this year...mark my words! THINK BLUE