They’re trying to revive once-promising careers

VERO BEACH, FLA. —  Matt Kemp squeezes into the space in front of his locker and gives a cordial nod to the player to his left and the player to his right. They aren’t quite teammates yet, because Choo Freeman and Larry Bigbie are new to the organization and Kemp has yet to establish himself.

To Kemp, Freeman and Bigbie signify competition for the Dodgers’ fifth outfield spot, although it is more likely they will become his outfield mates at triple-A Las Vegas in April.

What they ought to represent is a cautionary tale on how fast and far a top prospect can fall. Kemp, considered the Dodgers’ best young power hitter, doesn’t see Freeman and Bigbie that way because he has never contemplated failure.

“Those are two guys trying to win a position,” Kemp said. “That’s what I see.”

Freeman was a first-round selection of the Colorado Rockies in 1998 and passed up a football scholarship to Texas A&M; to sign. Bigbie was selected in the first round a year later by the Baltimore Orioles and was in the big leagues by 2001.

Yet, the Rockies gave up on Freeman, 27, last winter after he hit .225 with three home runs in 285 at-bats in three seasons. And the Orioles traded Bigbie, 29, to the St. Louis Cardinals after the 2005 season after repeated trips to the disabled list.

The injuries continued last year for Bigbie, who played in only 17 games because of a stress fracture in his left foot and a hernia. He received a full World Series share and a championship ring but never truly felt like a member of the Cardinals.

“They showed a lot of class in the way I was treated,” Bigbie said. “But missing out on basically the whole year lights a fire for me to get motivated.”

The Dodgers signed Freeman and Bigbie as insurance. There is no chance of either of them breaking up the starting outfield of Luis Gonzalez, Juan Pierre and Andre Ethier. Backups Marlon Anderson and Jason Repko are all but set, and prospects Kemp and James Loney are making a push.

Kemp, 22, was promoted from double A in May and became the fifth major league player to hit seven home runs in his first 18 days in the majors. Then he struggled and was sent to Las Vegas, where he batted .368 in 44 games.

Kemp probably will begin the season playing right field at Las Vegas. Freeman could be in center field, with Bigbie in left unless he exercises an opt-out clause the last week of spring training.

“I’m not one of those pride guys who won’t go back to triple A if there is something to be gained,” Bigbie said. “I haven’t played in a year. Let’s see how the spring goes.”

From the first round to the netherworld of a minor league contract. From promise to pledges of perseverance.

“I’m here to earn an opportunity. Nothing is handed to you in this game,” Freeman said.

For Kemp, failure is not spoken of.

“I look at [Bigbie] and say that the best thing is to stay healthy and everything will be all right,” Kemp said. “I look at [Freeman] and see a guy with a lot of talent who is still young. I see competition and another reason to never relax.”

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The Dodgers will play a four- or five-inning intrasquad game today.

Scheduled to pitch are Derek Lowe, Joe Mays, D.J. Houlton, Scott Elbert, Zach Hammes and Mike Megrew. Every position player is expected to bat once or twice.

steve.henson@latimes.com