Howie Kendrick vs. Lastings Milledge

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Arkansas Travelers Manager Tom Gamboa was quoted as saying that Howie Kendrick might be the next Tony Gwynn (okay, Gwynn was left-handed), and after the year Howie posted who could argue with him?  Kendrick would be the top prospect in most organizations, and vindicates Angels legendary scout/manager Tom Kotchman's recommendation to select this unknown out of a Florida community college.  The Angels drafted Howie in the 10th round of the June 2002 draft, based largely on his excellent hand-eye coordination.  His approach at the plate is simple -- look for a fastball and adjust to what he sees, something that only hitters with fast hands and hand-eye coordination can do.  (Another is Casey Kotchman, Tom's son.)  The physical skills are one reason to compare him to Gwynn; another is the relatively low walk rate.  Howie's approach at the plate fits in perfectly with the Angels' "Contactball" style of play; it's not hard to envision him a #2 or even #3 in their lineup, behind speedier brethren, although his high OBP might put him in the leadoff slot too.  "Contactball" is based on the fact that a hit moves up a runner while a walk doesn't (unless it's a force); Kendrick walked only 20 times in 2005, driving nuts the "Moneyball" crowd, who are scratching their heads trying to figure out how a guy could have a 1.000 OPS without taking a lot of walks.  As with all young hitters, there's a question of how much power will eventually manifest itself, but it's beginning to look like Kendrick could have the explosiveness at the plate to bat in the #3 slot; in the post-season AFL, Kendrick had an AVG/OBP/SLG of .380/.405/.603 in 121 AB.  The only knock on his game has been his defense, but he continues to work hard at improving that aspect too.  Although he'll never be as flashy as Alberto Callaspo, he'll more than get the job done defensively to warrant recognition as the heir apparent to Adam Kennedy, who's signed through 2006.  One major decision this off-season for Angels management will be to choose between Kendrick and Callaspo, although who knows what trade offers may bring.  For the last two years, analysts talked about Callaspo and Erick Aybar as the Angels' infield of the future, but barring trades or injuries that future middle-infield now appears to be Kendrick and Brandon Wood, perhaps as soon as 2007.  Injury notes: Kendrick missed two months in 2004 with a groin injury, and a month this year with a strained left oblique muscle.

I'm not complaining. I'm asking this question because it'd make more sense if we were comparing 2 players of the same position, same age, same set of tools and are at the same level. However, the comparison between Milledge and Kendrick makes no sense. They both reached the AA Level in 2005, but thats about it.

Kendrick- .359/.404/.555 (142/68 K/BB in 1182 ABs)
Milledge- .314/.382/.485 (166/62 K/BB in 793 ABs)

Do you see any similarities? I don't.

Production like Kendrick's at 2B doesn't come too often, however Lastings' production at OF at isn't anything rare. Delmon Young is the same age as Milledge and has him beat in both batting average(.317), slugging(.531) and OPS(.901)and only trails him in OBP by .012(.370) in 300 more ABs.

Since Milledge isn't even a better overall hitter than Young, what makes people think that Milledge is better than a more advanced hitter in Kendrick?