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Monday, April 24, 2006 |
Angels Call Up Howie Kendrick
The Angels have called up Howie Kendrick, according to Rotoworld. Let the infield jockeying begin!
Update: ... and the number of the beast shall be 47. With first base still something of a question mark, I wonder if he gets playing time there to shore up the offense at the right side of the infield? It seems kind of badly timed if so; he's slumping a little lately.
Update 2: additional confirmation via AP via ESPN. As suggested in the comments, I wonder that he doesn't start at first or second instead of Kotchman or Kennedy against Tigers' lefties Kenny Rogers and Mike Maroth.
Update 3: More from Hardball Times, where Chris Constancio observes that Howie's been preternaturally lucky on BABIP, especially his .500 BABIP on ground balls. Something to watch, anyway. (Hat tip: G. Abbes.)
Update 4: The Angels have promoted INF Casey Smith to Salt Lake, presently hitting .179/.258/.321 with AA Arkansas. The Bees disabled Kasey Olenberger, from a dislocated right pinky finger. Nathan Bland was reactivated to take his place.
Comments:
Where will Kendrick play? Will he compete with the popular Tim Salmon for at-bats as the team's DH? Just wondering . . . .
# posted by 
: 4/24/2006 02:37:00 PM
: 4/24/2006 02:37:00 PM
Here's guessing that Scioscia substitutes Kendrick for Kennedy when the team faces a lefthander. And if I'm not mistaken, the team will face two lefties in the upcoming series vs. the Tigers.
# posted by : 4/24/2006 02:52:00 PM
: 4/24/2006 02:52:00 PM
Well, I'm not sure how anyone could sell the kid as slumping or cold right now.
Kendrick has five hits and 2 doubles over his last three games, and hasn't gone zero-for in a game in five days. With 2 hits and a double in last night's game, I'd say Kendrick looks plenty warm to me.
Kendrick has five hits and 2 doubles over his last three games, and hasn't gone zero-for in a game in five days. With 2 hits and a double in last night's game, I'd say Kendrick looks plenty warm to me.
# posted by : 4/24/2006 03:01:00 PM
: 4/24/2006 03:01:00 PM
I had been refreshing the Angels roster page every so often; I was hoping to post a comment about Kendrick's call-up, but see that Rob was on top of it.
This is rather curious, for the simple fact that the Angels' best (or second-best) player at the moment is Adam Kennedy. It's hard to bench a guy hitting .373 and playing GG defense.
On the other hand, Kendrick certainly could benefit from folloiwng AK around for a little while. Maybe he picks up a few defensive pointers. Howie might also benefit from AK's recent display of team leadership.
But the Angels' need would appear to be for someone who can play a position besides 2B.
This is rather curious, for the simple fact that the Angels' best (or second-best) player at the moment is Adam Kennedy. It's hard to bench a guy hitting .373 and playing GG defense.
On the other hand, Kendrick certainly could benefit from folloiwng AK around for a little while. Maybe he picks up a few defensive pointers. Howie might also benefit from AK's recent display of team leadership.
But the Angels' need would appear to be for someone who can play a position besides 2B.
# posted by : 4/24/2006 03:05:00 PM
: 4/24/2006 03:05:00 PM
I assume that Kendrick will be used almost exclusively as a DH for this callup.
How 'bout sitting Erstad & Kotch and getting all the RH kids and reserves in against the Detroit lefties:
Figgins 3B
Cabrera SS
Guerrero RF
Anderson LF
Quinlan 1B
Kendrick DH
Willits CF
Mathis C
Kennedy 2B
How 'bout sitting Erstad & Kotch and getting all the RH kids and reserves in against the Detroit lefties:
Figgins 3B
Cabrera SS
Guerrero RF
Anderson LF
Quinlan 1B
Kendrick DH
Willits CF
Mathis C
Kennedy 2B
# posted by : 4/24/2006 03:08:00 PM
: 4/24/2006 03:08:00 PM
Screw first, why not have him start at catcher, where the offense has been just as bad (if not worse)? Seriously, why would you think that Kendrick would automatically take up 1st over Kotchman? If that was going to happen, you might as well send Kotchman down at the same time. I don't see any place for him except for DH.
Considering designated DH Tim Salmon is hitting .321/.345/.536, but the Angels are getting a collective .200/.240/.243 at first, the lion's share of which is attributable to Kotchman, sending Kendrick to first isn't such a bad idea... on the other hand, as you say, I'm not sure the Angels would feel especially good about benching Kotchman.
Kendrick will likely get ab's at DH and secondbase -- and therefore at the expense of Salmon and Kennedy. Not sure the team will be helped all that much by Howie's addition.
# posted by : 4/24/2006 03:49:00 PM
: 4/24/2006 03:49:00 PM
Does anyone think they're going to play Howie at first base, now, when he's never played the position at any level? Not likely.
# posted by : 4/24/2006 03:51:00 PM
: 4/24/2006 03:51:00 PM
Why would the Angels ever put Kendrick at 1B, when they have a perfectly acceptable substitute in Robb Quinlan, who not only crushes lefties (.913 OPS '03-'05), but has played an admirable defense there in his few opportunities this year?
# posted by : 4/24/2006 03:57:00 PM
: 4/24/2006 03:57:00 PM
Kennedy's value will NEVER be higher than right now. Smells like a quick audition of Howie's leather and a trade of A.K. to me.
# posted by : 4/24/2006 04:41:00 PM
: 4/24/2006 04:41:00 PM
Stoneman NEVER trades in-season, except for moves like unloading disgruntlements like Schoeneweis. You could be right, but I give you 4:1 against.
No Truck tonight, but the pitching was out of sight.
I'm expecting a little nice nice from our host about Frankie's performance tonight. 3 K's and a 95 mph fastball made him look as vital and dominant as I've seen him in awhile.
I believe tonight's hat trick notched him as the MLB save leader on the season, no?
I'm expecting a little nice nice from our host about Frankie's performance tonight. 3 K's and a 95 mph fastball made him look as vital and dominant as I've seen him in awhile.
I believe tonight's hat trick notched him as the MLB save leader on the season, no?
# posted by : 4/24/2006 09:47:00 PM
: 4/24/2006 09:47:00 PM
It won't happen just yet, but Rev's right. If they're going to deal Kennedy, now's the time. But its' gotta be for value, because they really need his glove out there.
Also, Frankie appeared to be OK tonight.
Also, Frankie appeared to be OK tonight.
From my seat along tht right field line, Frankie looked the best he has all season. His eighth save ties him for the MLB saves lead w/Papelbon - who bests Frankie with his sweet 0.00 ERA.
# posted by : 4/24/2006 11:09:00 PM
: 4/24/2006 11:09:00 PM
Kennedy's playing great - contenders don't trade players who are playing great.
And you can't just drop a guy into a position he hasn't played before, even if it's a relatively easy position such as first.
And you can't just drop a guy into a position he hasn't played before, even if it's a relatively easy position such as first.
# posted by : 4/25/2006 09:49:00 AM
: 4/25/2006 09:49:00 AMNewer› ‹Older
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