Matt Kemp Teams: A Comprehensive History of His MLB Career and Legacy

Matt Kemp played for five Major League Baseball (MLB) teams during his 15-season career: the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and Colorado Rockies. While he is most synonymous with the Dodgers, having played ten seasons in Los Angeles over two separate stints, his journey across the National League defined a generation of power-hitting outfielders.

The Los Angeles Dodgers: Where a Superstar Was Born (2006–2014)

Matt Kemp was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2003 MLB Draft. His ascent through the minor leagues was rapid, fueled by a rare combination of raw power, elite speed, and defensive potential. When he debuted in May 2006, he immediately flashed the "five-tool" potential that would make him a cornerstone of the franchise for nearly a decade.

The Rise to Prominence

From 2006 to 2010, Kemp established himself as one of the most exciting young players in baseball. Alongside teammates like Andre Ethier and Russell Martin, Kemp represented a new era for the Dodgers. By 2009, he had secured both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award, hitting .297 with 26 home runs and 101 RBIs. However, it was the 2011 season that cemented his status as a legitimate superstar.

The 2011 MVP Campaign

In 2011, Matt Kemp put together one of the greatest individual seasons in Dodgers history. He led the National League in home runs (39), RBIs (126), runs scored (115), and total bases (353). He finished just shy of a Triple Crown and became the first player since Ty Cobb to lead his league in home runs, RBIs, runs, and stolen bases (though the specific combination of stats varies by historical comparison, he was indisputably the NL's most dominant force).

Despite his 8.0 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), Kemp famously finished second in the MVP voting to Ryan Braun, a result that remains a point of contention among fans due to Braun's subsequent links to performance-enhancing drugs. Kemp’s 2011 season earned him a massive eight-year, $160 million contract extension, which at the time was the largest in National League history.

Injuries and the Departure

The years following 2011 were marred by injuries. A series of hamstring strains and a significant shoulder injury—sustained while crashing into the center-field wall at Coors Field—hampered his defensive mobility and power. By 2014, although he remained a productive hitter, the Dodgers' new front office, led by Andrew Friedman, sought to move his large contract and clear space in a crowded outfield. In December 2014, the Dodgers traded Kemp to their division rivals, the San Diego Padres.

The San Diego Padres: A High-Stakes Divisional Shift (2015–2016)

The trade to the San Diego Padres was the centerpiece of a frantic offseason orchestrated by Padres GM A.J. Preller. The Padres acquired Kemp, Justin Upton, Wil Myers, and James Shields in an aggressive attempt to "win now."

Expectations vs. Reality in San Diego

Kemp arrived in San Diego as the face of the franchise. While the team struggled to find a winning formula, Kemp provided several highlights. On August 14, 2015, Matt Kemp made history by hitting for the first cycle in San Diego Padres history, ending a 47-year drought for the franchise.

Despite the historic cycle and a respectable 23 home runs in 2015, Kemp’s defensive metrics continued to decline. The Padres' aggressive rebuild failed to produce a playoff berth, and the team soon shifted toward a long-term rebuilding phase. With Kemp’s large contract still on the books and the team heading in a different direction, he was traded once again midway through the 2016 season.

The Atlanta Braves: Finding Power in the South (2016–2017)

In July 2016, the Padres traded Kemp to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Hector Olivera. This move was essentially a "bad contract swap," but it allowed Kemp to return to the Southeast, closer to his home in Oklahoma.

Revitalization in Atlanta

Kemp’s tenure with the Braves was characterized by a resurgence in power. In the final months of 2016, he hit 12 home runs in 56 games for Atlanta. Fans and analysts noted that Kemp seemed motivated by the move, appearing to be in better physical condition during the 2017 spring training.

During the 2017 season, Kemp provided veteran leadership for a young Braves roster that included a rising star named Ronald Acuña Jr. While injuries once again limited him to 115 games, he still managed to post a .276 average and 19 home runs. However, as the Braves transitioned toward a youth movement centered on speed and defense, the aging Kemp no longer fit the long-term blueprint.

The Return to Chavez Ravine: A 2018 Renaissance

Perhaps the most surprising chapter in Matt Kemp’s career occurred in December 2017. In a complicated salary-dump trade designed to help the Dodgers stay under the luxury tax threshold, Kemp was sent back to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Braves. Most analysts expected the Dodgers to release or trade him before Opening Day.

The All-Star Comeback

Defying all expectations, Kemp showed up to spring training significantly leaner and won a spot on the roster. Throughout the first half of the 2018 season, he was the Dodgers' most consistent hitter. His performance was so dominant that he was voted as a starter for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, his third career selection and his first since 2012.

Kemp’s second stint in L.A. was defined by clutch hitting, including a legendary walk-off hit against the Arizona Diamondbacks in September that proved crucial in the Dodgers' hunt for the NL West title. He finally got to play in the World Series with the Dodgers in 2018, hitting a home run in Game 1 against the Boston Red Sox.

The Final Chapters: Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies (2019–2020)

After the 2018 season, the Dodgers traded Kemp to the Cincinnati Reds as part of another multi-player deal (which included Yasiel Puig and Alex Wood). Kemp’s time in Cincinnati was brief and plagued by injury. He appeared in only 20 games, hitting a disappointing .200 before being released in May 2019.

Following his release from the Reds and a brief minor league stint with the New York Mets organization, Kemp signed with the Colorado Rockies for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Playing primarily as a designated hitter, Kemp appeared in 43 games for the Rockies, hitting .239 with 6 home runs. While no longer the superstar he once was, he provided veteran depth before ultimately moving into the next phase of his life after the 2020 season.

Career Comparison and Statistical Impact

The following table summarizes Matt Kemp's performance and tenure across the various MLB teams he represented.

Data summarized from Baseball-Reference and MLB Official Stats.

Assessing Matt Kemp’s Legacy and the "What-Ifs"

In the landscape of 2026 baseball history, Matt Kemp is remembered as one of the most talented players of the late 2000s and early 2010s. His career is often viewed through the lens of "what could have been" had injuries not robbed him of his elite speed and defensive range.

The Defensive Decline

Early in his career, Kemp was a center fielder who could cover immense ground. However, major surgeries on his shoulder and ankles eventually forced a move to the corners (left and right field). His defensive metrics in San Diego and Atlanta were among the lowest in the league, a stark contrast to his Gold Glove years in Los Angeles. This transition is a textbook case for sports scientists studying the long-term impact of soft-tissue injuries on explosive athletes.

Impact on the Dodgers Franchise

Kemp was the face of the Dodgers during a tumultuous period of ownership changes. He bridged the gap between the era of Jeff Kent and Nomar Garciaparra and the current era of perennial dominance led by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. His return in 2018 remains one of the most celebrated "prodigal son" stories in Los Angeles sports history.

Post-Career and 2026 Perspective

As of 2026, Matt Kemp remains active in the baseball community, frequently appearing at Dodger Stadium for alumni events. His 2011 season is still cited in analytics circles as a prime example of why WAR is a more comprehensive metric than traditional Triple Crown stats, and he remains a beloved figure among the "Blue Heaven" faithful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many All-Star teams did Matt Kemp make? Matt Kemp was selected to three All-Star teams. His first two selections came in 2011 and 2012 during his peak years with the Dodgers. His third selection was a "comeback" nod in 2018, where he was voted a starter for the National League after a resurgent first half with Los Angeles.

Did Matt Kemp ever win a World Series? While Matt Kemp played in the World Series with the Dodgers in 2018, he did not win a championship ring during his playing career. The Dodgers lost the 2018 series to the Boston Red Sox. Kemp had already left the team by the time the Dodgers won the title in 2020.

Which team did Matt Kemp hit for the cycle with? Matt Kemp hit for the cycle with the San Diego Padres on August 14, 2015, against the Colorado Rockies. It was a historic moment, as it was the first cycle in the history of the Padres franchise, which had existed since 1969.

What was Matt Kemp's best statistical season? Kemp's best season was undoubtedly 2011. He hit .324 with 39 home runs, 126 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases. He led the league in almost every major offensive category and finished second in the NL MVP voting.

Why was Matt Kemp traded so many times? Kemp’s trades were primarily driven by a combination of his high salary and his declining defensive value. As his contract became a burden for mid-market teams like the Padres and Braves, he became a frequent piece in "salary dump" trades where teams swapped expensive players to balance their books.

Practical Recommendation for Fans

If you are looking to revisit Matt Kemp's career highlights, the best place to start is the 2011 season archive. His performance during that year represents the ceiling of what a "five-tool" player can achieve in the modern era. For fans in Los Angeles, attending "Alumni Night" at Dodger Stadium provides the best opportunity to see Kemp, as he remains a frequent guest and ambassador for the organization.