Los Angeles Dodgers: Is It Too Early to Give Matt Kemp the NL MVP Award?

When you think of the top hitters in the game, names like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Miguel Cabrera and Jose Bautista come up.

Until last year, nowhere did anyone mention the name of the Los Angeles Dodgers' Matt Kemp.

However, from what we've seen of Kemp in the first two weeks of the season, is it too early to name him the National League MVP?

Los Angeles fans would be happy for Major League Baseball to go ahead and give Kemp the award, while others would be hesitant.

As I look through and see what Kemp has done so far this season, I don't see anyone really challenging him for the MVP award, especially since Pujols and Fielder have left for the American League.

Through Tuesday, Kemp has a .465 batting average, with six home runs and 17 RBI. He's banged out 21 hits, scored 13 runs, gotten on base 50 percent of the time and has a slugging percentage of .977.

Now, there are those who will say the Dodgers have only played the San Diego Padres (seven games) and Pittsburgh Pirates (three games), with a series on ongoing with the Milwaukee Brewers. And I'll agree that we still need to see Kemp play a little bit better competition.

But can you name another player who started out a season on a tear like Kemp has? And, if there are any of those players out there, are or were they ones who you knew could sustain the numbers over a long period of time?

Now, I'm not saying that Kemp is going to hit 100 home runs and 200 RBI, bat .400 for the whole season and score 150 runs. What I am saying is that Kemp is the early favorite to win the MVP award, in a league that is in all honesty, lacking in star power at the plate.

Another thing I really like about Kemp is his confidence at the plate, which is something you expect out of your star hitter.

Regardless if the count is 0-2 or 3-1, Kemp is thinking one thing: get on base.

Now, will Kemp be named the NL MVP?

Only time will tell, but with the way he's been playing so far this year, is it really a far-fetched idea that he won't receive the award at the end of the season?

My prediction is that he'll lead the league in home runs and average, finishing second or third in RBI. With that, I think he would deserve the award.

Kemp is one of the top five players in baseball, and this is an award that he'll earn and win multiple of throughout his career.