Matt Kemp: Los Angeles Dodgers OF Has a Legit Shot at the Triple Crown

Although not as revered as its horse racing counterpart, winning the Triple Crown in Major League Baseball is nonetheless just as remarkable. In fact, the current drought in MLB is 11 years longer than in horse racing, with Carl Yastrzemski being the last to complete the feat in 1967.

While the 2012 season is still fresh off the presses, it is very clear that Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp is out to prove that his breakout 2011 season was no stroke of luck. His .487 batting average, six home runs and 16 runs batted in not only lead the National League, but all of baseball.

Sure the Dodgers are a mere 10 games into the season, but as long as Kemp is healthy, the debate about his chances to be the first Triple Crown winner in 45 years is inevitable.

Back in February, Kemp publicly stated that hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases was a possibility. This after a 2011 season in which he missed becoming the fifth member of the 40/40 club by a single home run.

If Kemp were to achieve that feat, it would set a new precedent for discussing the combination of power and speed for an individual player. It would also all but lock up one third of the National League Triple Crown.

With Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder having bolted for greener pastures in the American League, and Ryan Howard out with an Achilles injury, the National League is devoid of some of its usual suspects when it comes to the long ball. In fact, Kemp's 39 home runs last year were tops in the league.

Kemp also led the league with 126 RBI last season with virtually zero protection in the Dodgers' lineup. Now, with a legitimate table setter in Dee Gordon and Andre Ethier having found his stroke early on, Kemp has a shot to improve on that total this season.

Having finished third last season in batting average, missing the Triple Crown by a mere .013 points, Kemp is off to a torrid start this season. His chances at winning the NL batting title could eventually be aided if he starts receiving the Barry Bonds treatment as the season progresses.

When Bonds hit his stride as the premier power hitter in the game, pitchers simply wouldn't pitch to him—resulting in a four-year period from 2001 to 2004 in which he was walked 755 times. This drastically reduced the number of opportunities for Bonds to put the ball in play—precisely what the opposition did not want. As a result, his batting average was .349 during that same time period, well above his career average.

Kemp certainly isn't on Bonds' level just yet, and more than likely never will be. But if the opposition starts to inch toward a similar trend, Kemp will benefit greatly in the one statistic that has eluded so many other previous contenders.

Motivation will not be an issue for Kemp after also being denied the league's MVP award last season. Throw in the fact that he was so close to winning the Triple Crown and is leading the revival for the entire Dodgers franchise, and we could witness this horse not tire out on the third leg as we have seen time and time before. 

Contact Jeremy at [e-mail], on Twitter @KCPopFlyBoy and read more at popflyboys.com.