Howie Kendrick: Living La Vidro Loca?
Part III of our comparative study of Angel players and those down the ages who have performed kinda like them at the same age. Part I (Napoli/Mathis) explained the methodology, Part II (Kendry Morales) went down a weird Andre Thornton-shaped rabbit hole. Onward to Howie Doubles!
#comps: 23
topper: .296/.350/.462, 106 OPS+ Jose Vidro
middle: .277./365/.406, 97 OPS+ Ronnie Belliard
ourboy: .302/.333/.434, 99 OPS+ Howie Kendrick
bottom: .248/.320/.373, 88 OPS+ Bernie Allen
Top-125 Rankings in Bill James' 2001 Historical Abstract? Considering that Kendrick's career so far has been a disappointment, more than you might expect: Jim Gilliam 27, Robby Thompson 42, Davey Johnson 46, Frank Bolling 65, Hughie Critz 83, Dick Green 92, Odell Hale 98, Wally Backman 106, Otto Knabe 118, Bernie Allen 123. Vidro would make the list if it was re-done today.
Any other interesting people on this list? Lots of characters and/or future managers -- Billy Martin, Jerry Coleman, Davey Johnson, Wally Backman, etc.
In your heart, you know this comp is right: I'm going to go with Jose Vidro, for the unusual (for this group) combination of batting average and doubles-fueled power, plus moderate walks. Though he was mocked ruthlessly during his exit gig as Mariners DH, Vidro was a helluva ballplayer from 1999-2003 (ages 24-28), hitting between .304-.330, with 34-51 doubles and 12-24 home runs each year. Does that seem out of reach for Howie? Consider the two players' comparative stats per 162 games:
NM AB R H 2B 3 HR RB SB/C BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS+
JV 584 82 174 39 1 15 75 3/2 55 64 .298 .359 .445 108
HK 599 83 181 42 4 10 76 15/5 23 106 .302 .333 .434 99
I think Howie's power will certainly get there -- recall that, as Sam Miller taught, us, Howie's 10 home runs last year traveled farther on average than any other American League player's -- but his strike zone judgment (even after his leap forward on that front last year) is hurting the value of his offense.
But more importantly, when is this guy gonna have even 400 at bats in a season? For someone who, unlike Kendry Morales and Mike Napoli, was handed the job outright three years ago, Kendrick has put up the above numbers while failing to come withing even 80% of qualifying for the batting title. You know how many of Kendrick's 23 comps never qualified for the batting title before their age-26 year? Exactly two: Stu Martin (who was just five plate appearances away), and Ken Boswell, who couldn't hit left-handers with a backstop. Players this good play, period, unless they suffer a chronic injury. Kendrick is entering unchartered territory here, so I greatly look forward to next offseason, when all these 100-game seasons and the nagging doubts they produe will be behind us.
Other interesting facts about this group? Uh, Billy Martin, Jerry Coleman, Jim Gilliam, and Davey Williams all played for New York clubs in 1953? That's all I got.
Next up: Erick Aybar!
This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.
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Howard's been a victim of the "future batting title" hype.
I’ll take him right now over any second baseman in recent Angel history. As Rick Pitino might say, “Fans, Rob Wilfong isn’t walking in through that door.”
by sheisalovelyladyandmyapologiestoher on Apr 4, 2010 7:56 PM PDT reply actions
It wasn't we fans who created the "future batting title" hype.
"God watches over drunks and third baseman." - the Immortal Leo Durocher, predicting the coming of Brandon Wood...
But lets be real, the guy hit better than .350 after his re-callup
The guy is likely to win a batting title if he can keep that up.
by Balls and Strikes on Apr 4, 2010 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Let me just say I love your screen name.
Now, carry on.
RIP Nick Adenhart.
"When the Babe tries to call his shot, I hope Nick puts one in his ear."
--RallyMonkey5
NEW FAVORITE POSTER
oh and i totally agree with your above statement. Love HOWIE for who he is. Not for what your ceiling-potential hype as pinned to him.
Halos & Clips...must have something to do with the color red and jaded pasts...
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Apr 4, 2010 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions
I was a big Vidro fan during his Expos days
I’ll take early Vidro stats from Howard.
But man, Vidro sucked in Seattle.
And Wally Backman had one f’ed up personal life. Hopefully MLB franchises learned how to conduct a background check since that point.
1 line siggy line because I was asked nicely. Go Angels! helpfindscottajob@gmail.com
God I hope Howie's career doesn't follow Vidro's
this is his year, I can feel it.
.330/.370/.490 with 16hr, 44dbls, 80r, 85rbi, 19sb
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Apr 4, 2010 8:32 PM PDT reply actions
Howard Kendrick, 2010 All-Star
I’ll take that.
1 line siggy line because I was asked nicely. Go Angels! helpfindscottajob@gmail.com
please?
Halos & Clips...must have something to do with the color red and jaded pasts...
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Apr 4, 2010 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Ha Ha
They just showed Vladdy b-slapping Papelbon in the ALDS on the Yankee-Red Sox network’s broadcast of the Yankees and Red Sox.
by sheisalovelyladyandmyapologiestoher on Apr 4, 2010 8:43 PM PDT reply actions
Also, I see Howie is panthering it up off the field, too
http://fromthedugout.freedomblogging.com/files/2009/02/kendrickfamily.jpg
Score, Howie! Score!
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Apr 4, 2010 8:50 PM PDT reply actions
I know his left bicep looks very pantheresque...lol
and his wife is nice too…
Sportin' Wood!!
by angelskid2210 on Apr 4, 2010 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions
dood, i think i went to high school with that chick!
Halos & Clips...must have something to do with the color red and jaded pasts...
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Apr 4, 2010 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Sign the little one now!
I fear the future inflation this country is heading for, so let’s lock up little Kendrick to play 2B for the 2035 Angels!
The HK-47 hitting droid is the finest line drive machine ever built
Howie's wife > Quinlan's wife
Just saying.
1 line siggy line because I was asked nicely. Go Angels! helpfindscottajob@gmail.com
Reply fail.
Spank me and call my Suzy.
1 line siggy line because I was asked nicely. Go Angels! helpfindscottajob@gmail.com
Damn.
No one call my Suzy. I’ll stop now.
1 line siggy line because I was asked nicely. Go Angels! helpfindscottajob@gmail.com
Uhhh...
Why do you want us to call you Suzy? How about Suze or Suzanna? Sorry for the Seinfeld reference. Spanking however is out of the question. ;)
YOU DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF THE DARKSIDE.....
Ooooh a spanking!
Yes we all deserve a good spanking!
RIP Nick Adenhart.
"When the Babe tries to call his shot, I hope Nick puts one in his ear."
--RallyMonkey5
stop stop stop
it’s bad enough being married in Thailand, I don’t need this torture
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer.
Howie is unique
His ability to square up the ball is something special. If he can manage just a semblance of Vidro’s approach, he’s an all star, if not a batting champion.
What happened to Kendrick's glove?
I seem to recall him getting some tough balls near the end of last year. His defense really slipped between the end of the season and spring training. Hope he can turn that around; he looked terrible defensively in ST 2010.
I love this team.

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