Fantasy Baseball Profile: Will Howie Kendrick Finally Arrive?

Howie Kendrick has been solid every year since breaking in with the Angels in 2006. He’s had plenty of hype, but has never quite met those expectations. Of course, he set career highs with 105 games played and 374 ABs last year, which makes it hard to truly break out.

He got off to a slow start last year, but really turned it on in the second half.

First Half:  209 ABs, .239, 28 runs, 4 HRs, 25 RBI, 7 SBs, .644 OPS
Second Half:  165 ABs, .358, 33 runs, 5 HRs, 36 RBI, 4 SBs, .948 OPS

Clearly I don’t think he can maintain that second half production, but I do think he’s figured some things out. His splits were impressive.

Home:  .313, 34 runs, 5 HRs, 31 RBI, .846 OPS
Away:  .272, 27 runs, 5 HRs, 30 RBI, .714 OPS

vs. lefties:  .313, 24 runs, 6 HRs, 21 RBI, .831 OPS
vs. righties:  .278, 37 runs, 4 HRs, 40 RBI, .745 OPS

All he has to do is remain healthy. If he can do that, he’ll be a borderline starting fantasy second baseman ( see fantasy 2B rankings here ).

Prediction:  .310, 70 runs, 12 HRs, 60 RBI, 15 SBs

Past profiles

Arizona Diamondbacks:  Brandon Webb
Atlanta Braves: Yunel Escobar
Baltimore Orioles:  Adam Jones
Boston Red Sox:  Clay Buchholz
Chicago Cubs:  Geovany Soto
Chicago White Sox:  Jake Peavy
Cincinnati Reds:  Joey Votto  
Cleveland Indians:  Grady Sizemore
Colorado Rockies: Ubaldo Jimenez
Detroit Tigers: Miguel Cabrera
Florida Marlins: Cameron Maybin
Houston Astros: Lance Berkman
Kansas City Royals: Billy Butler


Originally published at LestersLegends.com .