A lot of analysts are "shocked" and "aren't buying" Howie Kendrick's power display so far this year, but why not? Is it that far fetched? Definitely not, the writing was on the wall.
Looking back at Kendrick's numbers from 2009, he hit 21 doubles in just 374 AB's. In 2010 he had 41 doubles in 616 AB's, so is it that unrealistic that he's actually hitting the ball over the fence this year rather than just for doubles? Critics said the same of Aaron Hill in 2009 when he crushed 36 bombs, yet the year before he had 14 doubles in 206 AB's, translate that to an entire season and you have around 44 doubles. The power was clearly there for Hill and being a young guy he's only getting stronger and better, why is this such a shocker to some? Still not sure...? How about Ian Kinsler, in 2008 he had 41 doubles in 518 AB's but just 17 bombs. One year later in 2009, he belts 31 dingers.
A player that is able to hit a lot of doubles is a player that shows he has some power. You have to understand that some of those doubles are hit off the wall and deep doubles that find the gap etc. If a player is only getting stronger as he enters the prime of his career, wouldn't you expect that some of those doubles start to finally make their way over the wall?
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not trying to say that just because you hit a ton of doubles one year, that the next you're guaranteed to have a ton of home runs. I am, however, suggesting that for some it's not that much of a stretch and shouldn't be merely dismissed as "luck". Howie Kendrick is still only 27, entering the prime of his career, shouldn't we expect his numbers to rise? Kendrick has improved every season he's played, why are people all of a sudden saying it's "luck" and that "he'll cool off"? I believe Kendrick to be finally proving himself one of the best two sacks in the league, and that the writing was indeed on the wall with him. I think Howie Kendrick will carry on and turn in a fantastic 2011 campaign while proving critics wrong.
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