Flashing a combination of power and speed, the Dodgers' emerging phenom Matt Kemp has emerged as a must-start in a crowded outfield this season.

Chris Williams/Icon SMI

The 2008 baseball season continues to create its own path. Oliver Perez and Justin Verlander have gone from studs to duds, while Gavin Floyd and Cliff Lee are finally reaching their potential after disappointing seasons. Sure, you can chalk some of those performances up as hot or cold starts for the first few weeks of the season, but we are now more than 20 percent of the way through the season, and last year's statistics are becoming less and less memorable and significant. So, as a fantasy manager have you been doing your homework? Let's find out, Name That Game!

Name That Game, Part 1:

152 Games, 90 Runs, 14 HR, 119 RBI, 43 SB, .328 AVG

Which outfielder is this?

A) Matt Kemp, OF, L.A. Dodgers
B) Carlos Gomez, OF, Minnesota Twins
C) Johnny Damon, OF, New York Yankees

The Player Revealed: OPTION (A) -- Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers

The Past:

The reigning NL Player of the Week has enjoyed a great deal of success, even months before his 24th birthday. A sixth-round pick out of high school in 2003, Kemp blasted 18 home runs with a .293 average at Class A at the age of 19. He then followed with another 27 home runs and a .306 average the very next season. In '06, Kemp earned his first promotion to the big leagues, thanks to a combined 10 home runs, 70 RBIs, and a .346 average between Double and Triple A as a 21-year old. In just 52 big league games, Kemp made an immediate impact with 7 home runs. Then last season, Kemp played 39 games at Triple A. After hitting .329, Kemp earned another call to the majors. There he performed at a higher level with 10 home runs, 10 steals, and a .342 average in 98 games.  Kemp was primed for a shot at a full-time gig for the Dodgers, when Los Angeles jeopardized his starting role by bringing in Braves slugger Andruw Jones during the offseason.

The Future:

By signing Jones, the Dodgers made it clear that a platoon would be in place once again for the Dodgers young outfielders, thanks to the previous acquisition of Juan Pierre, and the young talent of Kemp and Andre Ethier. Fortunately, the Dodgers also made a move at the managerial spot, bringing in Yankees legend Joe Torre, the man responsible for breaking in Derek Jeter, Alfonso Soriano, Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano. Kemp clearly won over his new skipper, as he has played in 32 of the team's 34 games. At the moment, Kemp has just 3 home runs, however, an impressive 9 steals, and .328 average. Expect Kemp to start racking up more home runs, as his doubles will start to carry over the fence as the weather continues to warm. The ceiling is sky high for this 23-year old. He has the ability to be a better hitting Carlos Beltran with his combination of power and speed. He also should enjoy greater protection in the lineup once James Loney finds his groove from the cleanup spot. Two weeks ago, Kemp was available in the majority of fantasy leagues. These days, it might not be a bad idea to make a trade for him, before Kemp becomes a household name. 

Name That Game, Part 2:

143 Games, 128 Runs, 29 HR, 114 RBI, 5 SB, .328 AVG

Which outfielder is this?

A) Ryan Church, OF, New York Mets
B) Xavier Nady, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
C) Grady Sizemore, OF, Cleveland Indians

The Player Revealed: OPTION (A) -- Ryan Church, OF, Mets

The Past:

Never a blue chip prospect, Church was drafted by the Indians in the 14th round of the '00 MLB Draft. After blasting 22 home runs in '01 for Class A, Church added another 22 the very next season while splitting time at Double A.  In '03, Church played exclusively in Double-A, and when his average fell to .261, the Indians opted to trade their outfield prospect to Montreal for reliever Scott Stewart. After slamming 17 home runs with a .346 average in just 98 Triple-A at-bats in '04, the Nationals placed Church on the major league roster for the majority of the '05 season. In his first three seasons, Church has proven to be an average major league player who reached a career high of 15 home runs in 470 at bats last season, while owning a career average of .275. During the '07 offseason, the Mets called Washington hoping to plug two holes (catcher and outfield) by trading outfield prospect Lastings Milledge. The pressure was immediately thrust on the shoulders of Church, as he would be compared to Milledge, a player with greater ability, but more concerns with character. 

The Future:

With the pressure to perform in the Big Apple, Church has responded to the adversity with glee, as he leads the Mets with 27 runs, is tied with David Wright with 6 home runs, and leads the team in average thanks to a .328 clip. The fact is that Church is overproducing at the moment. He will likely never evolve into a .330 hitter, or a 30-home run slugger, but what he can do is hit a solid .280 with 25 home runs. A particular benefit for Church will be his spot in the Mets order. Lately, Church has enjoyed the chance to bat second for New York, sandwiched in between Jose Reyes and Wright. If that trend continues, Church will have his pick of fastballs with one of the speediest runners on base. Considering Church is likely overachieving early this season, it might not be a bad idea to sell while his value is high. 

Name That Game, Part 3:

152 Games, 90 Runs, 33 HR, 86 RBI, 5 SB, .302 AVG

Which first baseman is this?

A) David Ortiz, 1B, Boston Red Sox
B) Prince Fielder, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
C) Joey Votto, OF, Cincinnati Reds

The Player Revealed: OPTION (C) -- Joey Votto, OF, Reds

The Past:

While there is plenty of chatter concerning Reds minor league phenom Jay Bruce, it's first baseman Votto who is earning a shot to play in the major leagues and contribute to fantasy leagues. Votto, a 24-year old slugger was drafted out of Canada from high school in '02. Within the next four seasons, Votto proved to be an adequate power source (he hit 22 home runs at Double A, then Triple A in '06 and '07). While Votto did prove capable at drawing walks during his minor league career, similar to former Reds prospects Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns, Votto also struggled to make contact a bit too often (he struck out 229 times in 269 minor league games the past two seasons). Finally, in '07, Votto earned a look in the major leagues. In 24 games, he was sensational, blasting 4 home runs, 7 doubles, and driving in 17 RBIs to complement a .321 average. With a higher ceiling to his advantage, Votto beat Scott Hatteberg for the starting spot at first base for the Reds this season. 

The Future:

Out of the gates in '08, Votto was solid, but not spectacular. At least, he wasn't spectacular until an afternoon game on May 7. The rookie first baseman blasted 3 home runs off of three different pitchers to nearly double his home run total from 4 to 7 on the season. Votto now boasts a sterling .302 average and a solid home run total. The fact is that Votto has held his own in the majors. He has his strikeouts under control, and is actually batting better on the road than at home. Votto will likely enjoy greater success in the majors than he had in the minor leagues. With fine bat control, and a conducive ballpark for power hitting, Votto should evolve into a 30-home run guy who can also help in average, too. Votto may finally offer the Reds what Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns had not; an all-around hitter with a combination of average and power. 

Rob Shaw is the lead expert for FantasyFanatics.com, the premier fantasy sports community