Halo Hangout » Howie Kendrick

Howie Kendrick: Swing Away

Michael Hllywa — Sat, 11 May 2013 14:51:25 +0000

Coming into the season, I wrote this little ditty, profiling/forecasting Howie Kendrick. Coming out of the minors, Howie was supposed to win multiple batting titles, but I’m sure you’ve heard that line before. What Howie has developed into, is a solid major leaguer, who annually ranks among the top 10 second basemen in all of baseball. Not a bad shake if you ask me.

May 9, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick (47) hits a single against the Houston Astros in the second inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Even with last season being a few steps back from his breakout campaign in 2011 (you know, the one where his power finally showed up), he still didn’t lose his status amongst the best second baggers in the game. At least, to baseball pundits he didn’t. For Angels fans, the acronym “GIDP” became synonymous with the Florida native. Those things, of course, tend to happen when a player finds himself among the league leaders in grounding into twin killings.

So how about we check in on our “not quite six feet tall” pivot man? In the GIDP department, Howie is once again doing his best to snuff out rallies. The six he has grounded into are two behind American League leader Kendrys Morales (remember him), and one behind the perpetually hobbled Albert Pujols (facepalm). It also puts him four behind the Philadelphia Phillies big splash, Delmon Young (Everybody point and laugh at Ruben Amaro Jr.), which is astounding since he started off the year hurt. But that’s another laugh fest for another time. Back to Howie, his six GIDP so far, puts him on a pace to hit into 29 GIDP by the end of the season. Which is completely unacceptable.

But, there is a silver lining. Howie seems to have regained his power stroke that made him an All-Star in 2011. He has already clubbed five home runs this season, and has a current slash line of .306/.343/.455, which is good for an OPS+ of 124. His career slugging percentage, by the way, is .429, and in 2011 he had it up to a career high of .464. It also could be that his propensity for grounding to 4-6-3′s, is simply a byproduct of bad luck (or good defensive positioning) so far this season.

Last year, Howie had a GB% that was a career high 58.6% (career average is 54.2), with a preposterous GB% of 71% in high leverage situations. So far this season, that GB% is currently at 55.4%. Still above his career norms, but much closer to them than last year. And that missing 3%, has turned into line drives. Kendrick is currently sporting a line drive right that, if maintained, would be the highest of his career at 23.2%. So what has Howie done differently? Swing, more. Just typing that feels weird. This is Howie Kendrick we are talking about, the swing happiest swinger to ever have swung a swinging bat. He’s currently swinging at 53.4% of pitches thrown to him, his career average is 48.1%. Walks be damned, if Howie is going down, he’s going down swinging.

Would it be nice to see Kendrick work more walks? Sure it would. Walks are infinitely better than two outs on one swing, but Howie is not a walker. He never was and he never will be. It is time that we accept Howie Kendrick for what he is, a hyper-aggressive, free-swinging second baseman. And we really shouldn’t hate too much on his approach at the plate. Here’s the Angels all-time OPS leaders with a minimum of 2500 PA:

Rk	Player	OPS
1	Vladimir Guerrero	.927
2	Tim Salmon	.884
3	Jim Edmonds	.856
4	Troy Glaus	.854
5	Chili Davis	.829
6	Torii Hunter	.814
7	Brian Downing	.813
8	Bobby Grich	.806
9	Wally Joyner	.801
10	Doug DeCinces	.798
11	Garret Anderson	.796
12	Don Baylor	.785
13	Rod Carew	.784
14	Reggie Jackson	.782
15	Howie Kendrick	.758

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 5/10/2013.

Not too bad of company if you ask me. And, side note, Bobby Grich, not a Hall of Famer, travesty.


I see ya' Howie, I see ya'. Just keep on doing what it is you do, it's worked for you for this long, no sense in changing it now. Except for the inordinate amount of ground balls. Knock the mess the hell off.



Link Hangout
Michael Hllywa — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:28:50 +0000
Man, The YMCA. I love that song. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
10 things that you didn’t know about Howie  Kendrick, Scott  Downs has himself a boo boo and, looking into how May’s schedule could be the Angels best friend. I’m feeling rather chipper this morning, maybe it has something to do with not losing to those who wear white shoes up north. Either way, let’s dive into it. 
10 Things to Know About Howie  Kendrick
Am I the only one who is glad that the nickname “Sloppy” didn’t follow him to the big leagues? Even though, sometimes, one is justified in calling him that anyway. 
Money Quote:
“I gave up pitching right when I got out of high school,” he said. “I knew I was never going to be a pitcher, 5’10” throwing 86 (miles per hour). No. No chance.”
I don’t know, man. Have you seen Tim  Lincecum‘s declining velocity?
Downs Uncertain After Leaving With Rib Pain
And the hits, they just keep on a-coming. To be honest, Scott  Downs has seemingly found a new and random way to get hurt each season, so for him to miss time isn’t exactly a shocker. But the bullpen is depleted enough, another injury was obviously the last thing they needed. Maybe open tryouts are in the Angels future. Probably not, but maybe. 
Angels Call May Day, Hope the Schedule Can Salvage the Season
Garrett Wilson is wonderful because, his brain never fully allows him to go full pessimist. One should never go full pessimist. I hadn’t looked at the May schedule until now. I really, really, really like the May schedule. Of course, this could all mean nothing and the Angels really are going to be this terrible all season, but, like I said, one should never go full pessimist. 
Money Quote:
They also face the lowly Astros seven times, one of just two teams that the Angels have actually won a series against this season.
Man, with all this losing going, I had totally forgotten that the Astros were in the AL West. Praise the lord and pass the ammunition.
The Seven Most Mammoth Home Runs of April
Mark  Trumbo, that is all……Well, and a video of course. I mean, who doesn’t like to watch a good baseball murder?
Your browser does not support iframes.
That poor, poor baseball.
MLB Offseason “Winners” Find April is the Cruelest Month
OK, we get it, sheesh. The Angels have been bad. Like, really bad. Josh  Hamilton is doing his best Albert  Pujols circa April 2012 impersonation. The bullpen is still a hindrance. And this starting rotation frightens absolutely nobody. But did you really have to include the team in an article with the Dodgers? I mean, that’s just rude.
Mike  Scioscia’s Pitchers Mound Visit Revisited
Yeah, so,  I don’t get to watch many games. I work late, and even on the east coast, it’s rare that I get home before the final out is recorded. With that being said, I’m glad I missed this. Mike  Scioscia‘s seat should be getting hotter with each loss, and I’m sure that the Scioscia haters were all over him for this. 



What To Expect When You’re Expecting: Howie Kendrick
Travis Reitsma — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:48:49 +0000
September 14, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Los Angeles Angels second basemen Howie Kendrick (47) doubles in two runs against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
In case you haven’t heard, Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick has been on something of a tear so far this spring. Coming into today’s game against the Athletics at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Kendrick is hitting .500/.500/.861 with three home runs in 36 plate appearances. So how much stock should we put into this start by Kendrick?
None. Okay, post over! Have a good day!
Ugh, fine.
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