Kendrick v Scioscia

by goose102977 on May 1, 2006 10:26 AM EDT Comment 4 comments

I am very confused by Mike Scioscia's handling of Howie Kendrick. Why bother calling up one of your most prized prospects in order to have him sit on the bench all week? He could have been working on his defense and continnuing to swing the hot stick in AAA. I do not understand why the Angels would not call up a lower lever prospect, ala Erick Aybar for example, to be a back up for Cabrera at SS. Can someone enlighten me?

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Enlightenment

Who would be able to better help his defense than Gold Glove caliber middle infielders? Alfredo Griffin is also working with him. I know most guys here, especially the roto guys wanted him to get a ton of AB's, but I said before that he won't get a lot of time. This gives him a taste of the show so he can learn some of the nuances and the daily grind, and then he will be sent down when all the rest of the guys are healthy. When he returns (probably for good) he won't have to deal with the initial nervousness of making his debut and can just concentrate on what he does best. It's actually kind of similar with what Liriano is doing in Minny, but the team has been struggling mightily so he has actually pitched in some meaningful games.

Kinda makes sense to me, if you look at a lot of the young guys that are being relied on, they aren't doing too well, this just eases the process a bit.

by SoCalSoxFan on May 1, 2006 11:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

but can't help but think this: had Kendrick not gone 0-for-4 in his debut, he would have got the spot at DH on Saturday over Edgardo Alfonzo (is he still in the league?).

by Azteca on May 1, 2006 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe he is taking it slowly

It seems that the angels have been burned the last few years with McPhereson and Kotchman as big named prospects that disappointed in the majors. I'm guessing they will move Kendrick a little slower.

by shaftr on May 1, 2006 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hard

to say they were rushed though. DMac got hurt, Kotchman had decent numbers after struggling out of the gate last year, and is definately struggling this year, but the jury is out on them. For them it was time to come up though, they had pretty much proven themselves at AAA. . . Howie had great numbers, but in a small number of AAA games. Each prospect is different, and their system evaluates what speed they think is best to be moved, obviously they feel he can handle the role he is in now. That being said, the bottom of the Angels order is anemic and needs to do something. I know they like to have Kennedy batting ninth, but I would shake up the lineup for a few games.

A lineup like Choney, Cabrera, Kotchman, Vladdy, Garret, Salmon (whoever DH's), Erstad, Mathis/Molina, Kennedy could get Kotchman jump started, and would also make the lineup a little deeper having Erstad lower in the lineup. The Angels need to get another impact bat in the lineup and it seems like it has to be Kotch or DMac because Kendry is struggling out the gate, and Kennedy isnt going anywhere til next year. Howie could be the DH, but with Kotch and the catchers spot not doing much so far, having another rookie in the lineup (that cannot necessarily be counted on) doesn't seem to be the answer.

by SoCalSoxFan on May 1, 2006 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs