Matt Kemp Power

Once upon a time, DME coined the phrase "Matt Kemp Power" when referring to any player with an .180 ISO (that's isolated power for anyone who doesn't know *cough* Matthew Berry *cough*). ISO is a great judge of power because is measures total bases gained above those messily singles. Anyone can luck into a few bloop singles here and there, just look at Juan Pierre's whole career, but it takes a special talent to get a baseball to the wall, especially over it. It should be noted that Matt Kemp no longer has Matt Kemp power(.18o iso) as he has blossomed into a 30 home run hitter, but his name will forever be linked to his early year power numbers.

We at Game of Inches decided to expand the list of named isolated power numbers because it's so much more personable to say Tyler Colvin has Justin Morneau power as opposed to a .220 iso. It's not like we live in our mother's basement over the summers or anything. Without further adieu, I present the complete list of named isolated powers

Matt Kemp Power

"Matt Kemp Power" is a trademark phrase of the David "MVP" Eckstein Corporation, LLC. It refers to Matt Kemp's career ISO (.180-ish) and the ability of a hitter with a comparable ISO to reasonably post a 20 HR/60 XBH season over 650 PAs. Matt Kemp power refers to guys with ISO's ranging between .170 and .185. Hitters with such power can be expected to post 20 HR/60 XBH seasons. They are not "sluggers", but valuable hitters nonetheless, especially when paired with "Matt Kemp Speed." Guys with less then Matt Kemp power are, at best, guys with league average power and not sexy (see Dustin Pedroia). In short, Matt Kemp power is sexy gap power with the ability to go yard.

Now, when you see or hear us refer to a guy as having "Matt Kemp power" (ie, Jayson Nix in 2009), you will be in the know, and knowledge is power.