Los Angeles Dodgers: 2003 MLB Amatuer Draft, Where They Are Now?

Matt Kemp is off to a very hot start in 2012. After some controversy about the 2011 NL MVP, Kemp has gone on a tear.

Kemp is coming off of his best year in 2011 and is the early favorite for NL MVP this year. He was taken in the 6th round of the 2003 draft by the Dodgers No. 181 overall.

I will be taking a look at the five players the Dodgers took in front of Kemp and see where they are now just to show how much of a steal Kemp has turned out to be.

Enjoy.

Round 1, No. 24 Overall: Chad Billingsley

Major League Experience: Six years

Career Stats: 72-53, 3.65 ERA, 928 K

The Dodgers No. 1 pick for that year was not a bad one at all. Billingsley has had himself a good career as a Dodger. He is off to a good start this year with a 2-1 record and a 2.64 ERA with 25 strikeouts.

Billingsley has been a good pick for the Dodgers and he has proven to be one of the key pitchers in the rotation. He will be a key player in the Dodgers' playoff run this season.

Draft Grade: A-

Round 2, No. 61 Overall: Chuck Tiffany

Major League Experience: None

Career Stats: No stats accumulated

Chuck Tiffany was the Dodgers' second pick of the 2003 draft. He has yet to pitch in the majors so far and has spent most of his time in the minors traveling from team to team.

After signing with the Dodgers, he bounced around with their minor league affiliates until 2006 when he was traded to the Rays. Once again, he spent those years in the minors.

In 2009, he joined the Independent League and has been pitching there ever since.

Draft Grade: D

Round 3, No. 91 Overall: Cory VanAllen

Major League Experience: None

Career Stats: No stats accumulated 

VanAllen was drafted in the third round by the Dodgers and did not sign with the team. He then went on to pitch at Baylor University.

In 2006, he was selected in the fifth round by the Washington Nationals and he has spent his career pitching at the minor league level. 2012 is the first year he has reached Triple-A.

Draft Grade: D

Round 4, No. 121 Overall: Xavier Paul

Major League Experience: 3 years

Career Stats: .246 AVG, 3 HR, 32 RBI

Xavier Paul was drafted by the Dodgers in the fourth round. He spent most of his career in the minors until he was called up in 2009. He played in 11 games with the Dodgers because Manny Ramirez was facing suspension for using performing enhancing drugs.

In 2010, he once again got called up from the minors to replace Ramirez, this time due to injury. Paul played in 44 games for the Dodgers until he was sent back to the minors, where he suffered a season-ending injury.

In 2011, Paul was designated for assignment after just seven games with the team. In late April, the Pirates claimed Paul off waivers. He played in a career high 121 games with the Pirates that year.

After the season, the Pirates designated him for assignment. In December, the Nationals claimed Paul and sent him to the minors where he currently resides.

Draft Grade: C

Round 5, No. 151 Overall: Jordan Pratt

Major League Experience: None

Career Stats: No stats accumulated

Jordan Pratt was the Dodgers fifth-round pick in the draft. He has spent his entire career at the minor league level and has never advanced past Triple-A.

Pratt enrolled at Standford University and is currently on their football roster as a wide receiver.  

Draft Grade: D

Round 6, No. 181 Overall: Matt Kemp

Major League Experience: 6 years

Career Stats: .297 AVG, 140 HR, 482 RBI

What more can be said about Matt Kemp? Kemp is coming off of a season in which he finished second in the MVP voting, and he is off to a MVP start this season.

Kemp is in the top three in almost every offensive category. He is the front line of the next generation of young superstars in the league. Kemp was a steal for the Dodgers in the draft.

I know there are a lot of good players in the majors who have been drafted lower then Kemp before, but to get your franchise player in the 6th round of the draft would be considered a steal.

Kemp is locked up by the Dodgers for the next eight years so he will be the face of the franchise for the future.

Draft Grade: A+