I can assure you that there is no one more excited about Yasiel Puig’s incredible laser beam home run in Sunday’s game against the Indians than I am; and anyone who has taken the time to read any of my (many) blog articles on Puig knows that I absolutely love this kid. I mean, what’s not to like about him? He hits for power, hits for average, has outstanding fielding ability, has a cannon for an arm and is overwhelmingly fast (especially for such a big man). In other words, he is a five-tool player.

And while Puig’s game-winning home run is the buzz on nearly every Dodgers blog site, there is another Dodger five-tool player who received little or no ink after Sunday’s 5-1 pounding of the Tribe – a guy named Matt Kemp.

Kemp came within a couple of feet of hitting his first home run of the spring on Sunday afternoon. Although Matt is 0 for 5 thus far, his swing looks absolutely great. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

In the bottom of the third inning, Kemp hit a monster shot of his own to deep right/center field that came within a few feet of going out. What’s the significance of a simple fly ball to left center, you ask? Well, it just so happens to be the deepest part of Camelback Ranch Stadium (410 feet) and it also happens to be where most of Matt Kemp’s home runs leave the building. And even though it was only Kemp’s second game (as the DH) since undergoing shoulder surgery at the conclusion of the 2012 season, it is a very positive sign that Kemp has regained his swing and his power – power that will only get better over the next few weeks and months.

I anticipate that Kemp will continue to DH over the next week or so before returning to field duties, but I fully expect him to be on the Opening Day roster. I also anticipate that at some point in time during the 2013 season, the Dodgers will have not one but two five-tool players in the outfield. And though word has it that Yasiel Puig will not be on the Dodgers Opening Day roster, in my humble opinion he should be.