Cincinnati Reds Sign 9-Year Veteran Utilityman

The Cincinnati Reds have bolstered their Triple-A Louisville roster by signing veteran utility player Tony Kemp to a minor league contract. 

Kemp, 32, initially joined the Reds during spring training but was released in March. 

He subsequently signed a $1 million major league deal with the Baltimore Orioles, where he appeared in five games before being designated for assignment following Jackson Holliday’s promotion. 

ROSTER MOVE: Veteran infielder Tony Kemp has been signed by the @Reds and assigned to Louisville today.

We're excited to see him playing in the right uniform at Louisville Slugger Field this week. pic.twitter.com/ZZDLCfwCWX

— Louisville Bats (@LouisvilleBats) July 9, 2024

Kemp then signed with the Minnesota Twins' Triple-A team and posted a solid .279/.358/.436 batting line over 46 games before opting out of his contract on July 1st.

Kemp brings a wealth of experience from his nine major league seasons with the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, and Baltimore Orioles. 

His standout season came in 2021 with the Athletics, where he hit .279/.382/.418, showcasing a disciplined approach at the plate. Known for his versatility, Kemp is capable of playing second base and all three outfield positions, providing valuable depth for the Reds, especially amid their current injury issues. 

Tony Kemp - 04/27/2019
🚨 Walk-Off 🚨 pic.twitter.com/VzgoCBcACW

— Random Homers (@randomhomers) May 13, 2024

With Jonathan India solidifying his role at second base, Kemp's best opportunity might be in left field, where the Reds are dealing with multiple absences. 

Over his nine-year career, the 32-year-old holds a .237/.324/.351 triple-slash line, along with 35 home runs, 184 RBIs, 53 stolen bases, and 262 runs scored across 739 games played.

If called up, the Reds would only need to cover the prorated portion of the $740K minimum salary for his time in the majors, as the Orioles remain responsible for the rest of his salary.

Photo Credit:  Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports