It was a terrible scene last night in San Antonio last night as Mott Hyde dove for a ball in shallow left field and collided with Danry Vasquez. Hyde was taken to the hospital with a head injury while Vasquez's left leg was splinted and he was carried off the field. I saw no subsequent reports about the extent of their injuries, but send your good thoughts and prayers their way for a quick recovery. Oh, and by the way, Hyde got the out!
In much, much better news, the Astros announced that OF/IF Tony Kemp was being called up to Houston. Kemp, a 5th round 2013 draft pick out of Vanderbilt University, was drafted as a second baseman but has also been playing the outfield the last couple of seasons since second base in Houston is currently occupied by Jose Altuve. Kemp is probably a better second baseman than he is an outfielder at this point (he won the MiLB Gold Glove at second in 2014), but do not discount his abilities. Kemp gets the absolute maximum out of his body that he can, is incredibly smart and will continue to improve.
I first talked to Kemp shortly after he was drafted in 2013 in this interview and again in 2014. At a listed 5'6", he is a huge personality in a little package. He works as hard as anyone I've seen to keep improving. And he always has a smile and a kind word for everyone he meets. There are some players I've met over the years that I root for just a little bit harder than others. Kemp is one of those.
The many faces of Kemp ...
With Conrad Gregor
With Nolan Fontana
With Delino DeShields
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