Matt Kemp and the Atlanta Braves: A Local Fan’s Guide to His Time in Atlanta

When Atlanta baseball fans search for “Matt Kemp Atlanta Braves,” they’re usually looking for two things: a reminder of what Kemp did while he was here and how he fits into recent Braves history. If you live in Atlanta, visit Truist Park often, or just want to understand where Kemp sits in the story of the modern Braves, this guide walks through his Atlanta chapter in a clear, local-focused way.

How Matt Kemp Ended Up in Atlanta

By the time Matt Kemp arrived in Atlanta in 2016, Braves fans were in the middle of a major rebuild. Turner Field was in its final season, young talent was being stockpiled, and the team was transitioning toward the era that eventually led to a World Series title.

The trade that brought him to the Braves

• Date: Late July 2016
• From: San Diego Padres
• To: Atlanta Braves
• Why it mattered to Atlanta:
  • The Braves were looking for a middle-of-the-order power bat.
  • Kemp provided a recognizable name and instant offense at a time when wins were scarce.
  • For local fans, it made the final stretch at Turner Field more exciting.

In simple terms, Kemp’s arrival gave Atlanta a short-term slugger while the organization positioned itself for bigger things to come.

Matt Kemp’s On-Field Impact with the Braves

Offensive firepower in the heart of the order

If you watched Braves games in late 2016 and 2017, you probably remember Kemp for:

• Home run power to left and left-center
• Driving in runs behind hitters like Freddie Freeman
• Being one of the more feared bats in the lineup during that phase

For Atlanta fans, seeing Kemp in a Braves uniform meant the team finally had another legitimate power threat, especially helpful in:

• Tight games at Turner Field in 2016
• The early seasons at SunTrust Park (now Truist Park) in 2017

While his numbers fluctuated and he dealt with some injuries, his presence helped bridge the gap between the rebuild years and the contending years that would follow.

Kemp’s Time in Atlanta: Key Timeline

Here’s a quick, easy-to-skim summary of Matt Kemp’s Atlanta Braves chapter:

For many Atlantans, Kemp is remembered most for being one of the first big bats of the transition into the new ballpark era.

Matt Kemp and the Move from Turner Field to SunTrust/Truist Park

If you’re looking at Kemp’s Braves tenure through a local lens, it lines up almost perfectly with a big change in where Atlanta watches baseball.

At Turner Field (Downtown Atlanta)

• Location: 755 Hank Aaron Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
• Context: Kemp arrived in the final season of Turner Field’s use as a baseball stadium.
• For long-time Braves fans living in the city, Kemp’s home runs in 2016 were part of the last memories of MLB baseball in that part of Atlanta.

At SunTrust Park / Truist Park (Cobb County)

• Location: 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
• Kemp played during:
  • The inaugural season at the new ballpark in 2017
• For fans in metro Atlanta, especially those living in Cobb County or the northern suburbs, Kemp became part of:
  • The first wave of players associated with the new stadium
  • The early identity of the Braves at The Battery Atlanta

If you tour Truist Park today, Kemp’s name isn’t featured the way long-term stars are, but fans who were there in 2017 often remember him as a key power bat during the ballpark’s opening year.

How Matt Kemp Fits into Recent Braves History

To understand Kemp’s role, it helps to see where he sits in the bigger Braves timeline that Atlanta fans talk about:

1. Rebuild phase (mid-2010s)

   • The team traded veterans, stacked prospects, and accepted some losing seasons.
   • Kemp’s acquisition gave the lineup some respectability during this stretch.

2. Transition to contention (late 2010s)

   • Younger stars like Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuña Jr., and others began to arrive.
   • The Braves shifted toward a more athletic, versatile roster.
   • Kemp was eventually moved to open opportunities for this younger core and reshape the team’s payroll.

3. World Series era (2021 and beyond)

   • By this point, Kemp was no longer with Atlanta, but he was part of the bridge from the lean years to the competitive window.

For local fans, Kemp is often remembered as:

• A short-term but important piece
• A veteran slugger who helped stabilize the lineup
• A familiar name during the uncertain stretch between eras

Seeing Kemp’s Influence as a Fan in Atlanta

If you live in or visit Atlanta and want to connect Matt Kemp’s time here to the current Braves experience, there are a few interesting angles:

1. Visiting Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta

While you won’t find a dedicated Matt Kemp display, you can still appreciate the era he played in by:

• Walking Truist Park and picturing the 2017 lineup, when Kemp was still hitting in the middle of the order.
• Watching current Braves games and noticing how the team identity has shifted from relying on aging sluggers to homegrown, athletic stars.

📍 Truist Park
755 Battery Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30339
Ticketing and general info can be found through the Braves’ main ticket office and box office at the stadium.

2. Talking Braves history at local spots

In Atlanta, sports bars, barbershops, and neighborhood hangouts around the metro area often host debates about:

• Best recent Braves hitters
• Which players helped bridge the rebuild to the playoff runs
• How players like Kemp compare to longer-tenured Braves

Kemp usually comes up as a “remember when?” player: not a franchise legend, but a memorable figure for fans who followed closely in 2016–2017.

Common Questions About Matt Kemp and the Braves (From an Atlanta Perspective)

Did Matt Kemp play a long time for the Atlanta Braves?

No. From an Atlanta standpoint, Kemp’s time here was relatively short, covering parts of two seasons. However, his presence was impactful enough that many local fans still remember him clearly.

Was Matt Kemp part of the Braves’ playoff teams?

No. Kemp was gone by the time the Braves started their run of division titles and deep playoff appearances in the late 2010s and early 2020s. His role came just before that surge, during the tail end of the rebuilding period.

Can I still get Matt Kemp Braves gear in Atlanta?

You may occasionally find Matt Kemp Braves jerseys or shirts:

• At some resale or vintage sports shops in the Atlanta area
• Through secondhand marketplaces or collectors

They’re not commonly stocked as new items, since Kemp wasn’t a long-term Braves star, but local collectors and long-time fans sometimes still wear his gear at Truist Park.

Why Matt Kemp Still Matters to Atlanta Fans

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta who wants to understand what “Matt Kemp Atlanta Braves” really means, it comes down to this:

• He was a recognizable power hitter who brought excitement back to the lineup during a tough stretch.
• He played in a unique crossover moment, from downtown’s Turner Field to Cobb County’s Truist Park.
• He helped bridge the gap between the rebuilding Braves and the contending Braves that Atlanta celebrates today.

If you’re walking into Truist Park now, surrounded by a new generation of stars, remembering Matt Kemp’s short but memorable stint helps you appreciate how far the team—and Atlanta baseball—has come in a relatively short time.