Washington Nationals: Howie Kendrick off to great start

Since being acquired by the Washington Nationals last Friday, Howie Kendrick has been an outstanding acquisition.

In an unforeseen trade last Friday, the Washington Nationals acquired Howie Kendrick from the Philadelphia Phillies. It has not taken Kendrick long to adjust to the Nationals, as he has hit .444 with a homer, two runs scored, and two RBI’s in five games.

On top of his offensive prowess, Kendrick also offers lots of versatility and is capable of playing several defensive positions. In his short time with the Nats, he has played second base and left field, but he has also played first base, third base, and center field throughout his career.

The highlight of Kendrick’s time with the Nats so far has been his incredible 5-for-5 performance on Tuesday in Miami. On a night when the Nats couldn’t muster much offense, Kendrick had a career night.

Although he hasn’t yet utilized his speed, it can also be a huge asset. If the offense is having an off-night, as was the case on Tuesday, Kendrick is able to use his speed to make something happen.

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With Trea Turner currently injured, Kendrick is one of the few Nationals capable of stealing bases. In just 39 games with Philadelphia this season, he stole eight bases. Reuniting with Davey Lopes, one of the best first base coaches in the league and Kendrick’s first base coach from 2015, should also help Kendrick utilize his speed.

With Jayson Werth and Michael Taylor both injured, Kendrick has played nearly everyday. While it’s expected that Werth and Taylor will regain their starting positions when healthy, Dusty Baker will be forced to find a spot for Kendrick if he continues to hit this well.

Kendrick’s versatility also allows him to receive more playing time. With everyone healthy, he will most likely become a bench player. However, the regulars will need days off and Kendrick plays several positions so he is capable of spelling a few different regulars.

With Kendrick on the bench, the Nats have arguably the best bench in the league. Kendrick, Adam Lind, and Stephen Drew have nearly 4,000 hits between the three of them, not to mention Wilmer Difo and Brian Goodwin, who have both played well this year. With such an injury-prone team, an elite bench could prove to be extremely beneficial down the stretch and in the postseason.

Another benefit of having Kendrick on the team is his postseason experience and veteran presence. He has played in 30 postseason games throughout his career, which will be invaluable come October. For a team seeking to win their first postseason series, having veterans with postseason experience will do nothing but help.

Kendrick has also been well-received by Nats fans. During an at-bat against Colorado on Sunday, there was an audible “Howie” chant throughout Nationals Park. This was during his first start with the Nats, so it certainly didn’t take long for Nats fans to take a liking to him.

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Since joining the Nationals, Howie Kendrick has impressed both at the plate and in the field. Although it was an under-the-radar move, this trade could prove to be among the most impactful deadline deals. You can go ahead and add this to the long and ever-growing list of outstanding Mike Rizzo trades.