Howie Kendrick gets NO RESPECT

[edgur1995]

why doesn't he get any love around here? You guys will settle for a #4 starter for him when in reality HK can be one of the best 2nd basemen in the game. It makes No sense to me!

[LightTheHalo]

I agree, but I think most people here are down on Kendrick because he never blossomed into the batting champion many of us thought he would be. Even as steady as his career has been, he is perceived as a disappointment.

[CanadianHalo]

To keep it plain and simple, I'm tired of watching him hit into double plays.

[Angel Oracle]

I will say that his OPS was higher than Trumbo's in 2013, by some 25 pts.

 

If only not so many hard hit GBs would find their way to GIDPs.

Edited December 13, 2013 by Angel Oracle

[Tyler]

I think highly of him. It's a combination of factors though... Lindsey, Green, Money, and multiple pitching prospects in return to help an organizational weakness.

[ten ocho recon scout]

I think highly of him. It's a combination of factors though... Lindsey, Green, Money, and multiple pitching prospects in return to help an organizational weakness.

Agreed.

Don't want to lose him, at all. But the potential return could be more valuable to us than keeping him

[WallyWorld]

to me, Kendrick exemplifies the difference between watching the game and looking at the boxscore.  You can look at what he did in the game and see that he went 1-4 with an RBI and no errors and say hey, 'that's a pretty solid game'.  But if you watch the game, you'd know that the hit and RBI came in the 8th inning when the team was down 7 runs, and that in the other 3 ABs he popped up with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs, struck out with the bases loaded on the same slider down and away that he always Ks on, and GIDP in the 2nd inning, killing a potential rally.  He didn't have any errors officially, but in the 5th inning he made a bad relay throw to the SS ruining a potential double play and opening the door to a huge inning for the other team. Is that a good game? No it's not.  To me, Howie has too many games like the latter.

[seenoevil]

He's a double play machine. He ends to many innings with a DP.. He strikes out in key situations, (2 on with 1 out)..... I'm tired of this guy.. I think he actually killed the rally monkey

[Adam]

I love black guys. Wish we had a few more

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Besides, he's from Jacksonville. Obviously a great guy.

[Guest]

I like him. This place hates everyone so don't take it too seriously

[edgur1995]

I remember a game where not even mike trout could do anything and howie had himself a 4 RBI game. I'm just saying his very good and can be elite and at times is elite. His still young as well. Lets not be a negative Nancy about HK.

[Marsaka]

to me, Kendrick exemplifies the difference between watching the game and looking at the boxscore.  You can look at what he did in the game and see that he went 1-4 with an RBI and no errors and say hey, 'that's a pretty solid game'.  But if you watch the game, you'd know that the hit and RBI came in the 8th inning when the team was down 7 runs, and that in the other 3 ABs he popped up with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs, struck out with the bases loaded on the same slider down and away that he always Ks on, and GIDP in the 2nd inning, killing a potential rally.  He didn't have any errors officially, but in the 5th inning he made a bad relay throw to the SS ruining a potential double play and opening the door to a huge inning for the other team. Is that a good game? No it's not.  To me, Howie has too many games like the latter.

 

Brilliant, pretty much explained exactly why I dont like Kendrick.  People on this board just look at his stats and think he's a good player, but those of us who actually watch the games know better.  I honestly think he helps the opposing team win more than he helps the angels and that's why I would trade him for anything we can get.

[jshep]

lol

[Jimmag]

He is good in my book a very constant and dependable player. He also was the perfect choice of the Howard's commercials.

Edited December 13, 2013 by Jimmag

[Stradling]

No we look at Howie and compare him to other second baseman and we realize we have it really good. Also if clutch doesn't exist then neither does not being clutch.

[Stradling]

I didn't care for Johnny Ray.

[Lhalo]

I honestly think he helps the opposing team win more than he helps the angels and that's why I would trade him for anything we can get.

 

This is absurd. 

[monkeywithahalo]

So here I was about to throw shade at WallyWorld for providing an anecdotal narrative and not supporting it with actual evidence at all. I thought for sure that it would be poppycock, but lo and behold, Kendrick had a -2.25 WPA in 2012 (5th worst in the majors that year) and -0.39 last year. And his career Clutch score according to Fangraphs is -2.81. So, um, yeah. Good call, WallyWorld.

 

That doesn't mean he is a bad player though. It just suggests that he doesn't deliver in high leverage situations, or at least he hasn't the last few years. A big reason for that is the GIDPs. But that is always going to be part of the package with Howie, who has the 15th highest groundball rate in the majors over the last three years. He has warts, everyone does. I just think that Howie's are more readily visible to those of us who watch the games. And us stat guys.

 

Wait, guys who watch the games and appreciate advanced statistics? Those aren't mutually exclusive? Who knew?!

[Vladfan]

When he hits into double plays.....I think my head is going to explode. It seems to happen A LOT!!!

 

Defensively I think he is one of the best in the AL. 

[Crampknees]

Advanced stat guys and those of us who actually watch the games.  Can't top that. 

[Brandon]

we need more brothas like Howie and Reggie Willits

[Marsaka]

He's top 5 in the AL. Which could net us some high flying prospects!

 

Angels have been trying to trade him since last July, no one will bite for good reason.  It looks like we are stuck with him for another 2 years.

 

 

This is absurd. 

 

how many times have the angels made the playoffs when Howie has had more than 375 ab's?  0

[T.G.]

I am one of those fans who is probably harder on Howie than he deserves... it's just that I often feel like he has that "deer in headlights" look in the post season.. or in clutch situations. I must think that way for a reason.

[tdawg87]

Angels have been trying to trade him since last July, no one will bite for good reason. It looks like we are stuck with him for another 2 years.

how many times have the angels made the playoffs when Howie has had more than 375 ab's? 0

How many times have the Angels made the playoffs when Trout has more than 375 at bats?