Howie Kendrick

Kendrick became a free agent this winter but the Nationals brought him back after his postseason heroics helped them to a World Series. He came within one home run of equaling his career high in homers, and the .344 batting average was the type of average we thought Kendrick would hit for annually as he rapidly ascended through the minor leagues. At 36, his expected stats (xBA, xSLG) were in the 98th percentile, and his overall hard-hit rate was in the 92th percentile. Kendrick has that rare 1B/2B eligibility in most leagues on draft day, and adds 3B in 15-game-eligibility leagues as well. He handles righties and lefties, but was absurdly good against lefties last year (.376/.421/.615). A move to the AL would have been ideal, as he could stay out of the field. He's still very much in play with the return to Washington, though he carries some playing-time risk at his age.

Kendrick's 2018 campaign was off to a nice start, as he was playing regularly with Daniel Murphy and Adam Eaton out with injuries. However, on May 19, disaster struck. Kendrick ruptured his right Achilles, costing him the rest of the season. Up until that point, the veteran was fanning less than the previous season while registering a well-above-average hard-hit rate. Kendrick's power has always been capped by a low flyball rate, but he was lofting the ball a little more before the injury and appeared to be on the way to his first double-digit home run season since 2013. Curiously, Kendrick attempted only two steals, bagging one pilfer after swiping 22 combined the previous two seasons. Now 35 years old, it's hard to envision Kendrick as anything more than a bench player with an empty batting average as whatever running he had left is likely sapped coming of the torn Achilles.

Kendrick produced at an excellent clip in his 91 games between Philadelphia and Washington last season, but the advanced numbers paint a pretty clear picture; he was playing above his head. His strikeout and walk rates both went in the wrong direction (20.4 percent K%, 6.6 percent BB%), yet Kendrick hit over .300 for the first time in a decade thanks to a .378 BABIP. Meanwhile, his home-run total was boosted by an 18.8 percent HR/FB rate (10.1 percent for career). He had a .334 xwOBA according to Statcast, which was nearly 30 points below his actual mark, and a .270 xBA. Kendrick also made two trips to the DL, once for a hamstring and once for an oblique, so that's now twice in three seasons that he's dealt with hamstring problems. As he approaches his 35th birthday, Kendrick continues to hold onto relevance, but that could fade fast with less fortune in 2018.

Kendrick had a 2016 season to forget in multiple ways. He hit .255 after spending most of his career hovering around .290 to .300 and had to split time between left field and second base due to positional logjams. The latter situation prompted Kendrick to request a trade from the Dodgers, which landed him with the Phillies who reportedly plan to make him their regular starter in left field. Kendrick's value has always revolved around his ability to hit for average, so hitting .255 again probably isn't going to cut it even if he retains second base eligibility in leagues. The good news is that part of his drop-off can be attributed to a .301 BABIP that was 36 points below his career average, which might be chalked up to bad luck. Still, it's not crazy to think a 33-year-old player's skills are diminishing with age and that Kendrick doesn't have much going for him heading into 2017. The Phillies could turn to younger options with more upside if things aren't working out this summer.

Kendrick dealt with hamstring issues that limited him to 464 at-bats in 2015, ultimately pushing the Dodgers to deal for Chase Utley to fill the late-season gap. He put up his usual numbers in those 117 games, batting .295/.336/.412 with nine home runs and six stolen bases. Kendrick never developed into the batting title contender that some thought he could be many years ago, but few players in the game have shown the level of consistency he's shown over the past nine seasons. He doesn't draw a lot of walks (4.8% career BB%), but Kendrick makes good enough contact to hit in the .290s every year. Kendrick returned to the Dodgers on a two-year deal, but it is unclear if he will play every day, as Enrique Hernandez and Chase Utley are also expected to make the 25-man roster. Look for Kendrick to lead the team in starts at second base, but if he's not playing every day, he may only be a middle-infield option in standard leagues.

Kendrick came into 2014 fully healthy after playing just 123 games the previous season due to knee issues, but delivered mixed results. While his power evaporated (.104 ISO) he tied career highs in OBP (.347) and RBI (75) in a record 674 plate appearances. Kendrick showed some encouraging signs in 2014, as he lowered his strikeout rate for the third consecutive season, while bringing his walk rate up to a respectable 7.1%. He also kept his average high, hitting .293 while stealing 14 bases for the fourth time in his career. This ability to consistently steal bases will likely give him the floor of a two-category producer, with the potential for more if the power returns. Entering the final year of a four-year, $33.5 million contract, Kendrick was traded to the Dodgers in December, where he will take over as the starting second baseman after Dee Gordon was dealt to Miami.

Kendrick came into 2013 with the profile of a solid, if unspectacular player at a shallow second base position, and he did his best to shatter those perceptions early in the season, posting OPS marks of .844 and .919 in May and June, respectively. The productivity was halted there, however, as nagging injuries in July were followed by a hyperextended knee in August, which kept him out of action for over a month. Kendrick finished 2013 with an extremely low walk rate (4.5%), but he makes enough contact and has enough power that he is able to compensate. His final line of .297/.335/.439 in 2013 should keep him in the mix to continue providing steady value at the keystone this season.

After bopping a career-high 18 homers in 2011, Kendrick's power fell back down to its previous levels in 2012 and he finished with only eight long balls. He was, however, able to maintain a solid batting average of .287, which is about what you can expect from him going forward, and he stole exactly 14 bases for the third year in a row. Kendrick was a disappointment to most of his fantasy owners last year, but he's still a good hitter for his position despite the influx of talent at second base, and could be a nice sleeper this year for fantasy owners who are looking for stability and willing to accept limited upside.

Injuries limited Kendrick to 140 games last season, but that didn't stop him from hitting a career-high 18 home runs and posting an .802 OPS. Kendrick also added 14 stolen bases and 86 runs, a number that could go up significantly if he is used in the two-hole in front of Albert Pujols. Kendrick has steadily improved the last couple seasons, and 2012 could wind up being his best yet provided that his trade of contact for power is sustainable.

Kendrick played a full season for the first time in his career, but didn't deliver the high batting average or overall production many thought was possible if he could just stay healthy. Kendrick posted strong batting averages in the minor leagues, but he hasn't been able to duplicate that success in the majors due to a low walk rate that didn't get any better last season. A below average BABIP last season suggests he could improve and he'll be entering his prime at age 27, but his upside may not be much more than last year's numbers.

After 1,300 at-bats, it's becoming clear that Kendrick is what he is, a legitimate .300 hitter with some other skills, none of which includes drawing walks or staying on the field. He's Robinson Cano without the power or durability, but the power is coming along a bit. He should be helped by Chone Figgins' departure, which may get Maicer Izturis out of his way. Big postseason hits may keep him from being a true sleeper on draft day, though.

Kendrick batted .306 with three home runs and 37 RBI during a 2008 season in which he only played in 92 games. Kendrick battled injuries again last season, most notably a slow-healing hamstring injury; hopefully this doesn't turn into a yearly problem for the young second baseman. Kendrick has the tools to be a very good player; and if he can stay healthy next season, he should finally prove to be one of the better second base options in fantasy baseball.

Kendrick was supposed to have a breakout season in 2007, but he suffered a broken finger early in the season and never completely recovered. Kendrick proved that he could hit major league pitching by hitting at a .322 clip over the course of the season, but he only saw action in 86 games and couldn't contribute as much as the Angels had hoped. Still, Kendrick should be healthy heading into next season and his numbers should improve simply by playing more games. With that in mind, expect Kendrick to emerge as a post-hype sleeper and deliver in 2008.

Beware. Despite a pretty stat line and a beautiful swing, Kendrick's indicators went haywire last year. His strikeout rate jumped more than 20%, as did his K/BB. He's eventually going to meet expectations, but with just one season above Double-A, there's good reason to believe it won't happen in 2007. Still, he's likely to enter next season with the everyday job at second base.

Injuries limited Kendrick to just 75 games in A-ball in 2004, but he hit a loud .367/.398/.578 in those 75 games, positioning himself for a breakout in '05. Breakout he did, battering the California League and the Texas League, hitting .384 at his first stop, and a mere .342/.382/.579 in Double-A. It's for real, folks: Kendrick may have the quickest wrists in the minor leagues. Like most Angels prospects, he doesn't draw many walks, but he makes hard contact against everything the pitcher can throw up there. He's improved his defense considerably at second base, and he'll be able to hold down the position long-term with a bit more polish. Kendrick's bat is ready for the majors right now, he only needs to tighten up the defense a little more. Look for him sometime in '06, possibly pushing Adam Kennedy out of a job.

Kendrick had a strong season at low Single-A Cedar Rapids, giving the organization another second baseman behind Alberto Callaspo with high offensive potential. Look for continued growth at high Single-A in 2005.

Kendrick had a strong season at low Single-A Cedar Rapids, giving the organization another second baseman behind Alberto Callapson with high offensive potential.