By the time I got through writing about the big-picture implications of the Phillies' had-to-have-it win yesterday and all that went with it (Ryan Howard's first home run in 47 plate appearances, a career-high five hits for Jayson Werth, Chase Utley's expected return tonight for the opener of a make-or-break series against the Mets, Brett Myers' non-apology to an Inquirer reporter, etc.), I'd exhausted all space in both the gamer and the notebook to thoroughly discuss Kyle Kendrick's latest solid performance.Good thing, then, that we have The Blog.
On his 23rd birthday, Kendrick tossed six strong innings against the sizzling Padres and got a boatload of runs from his previously slumbering offense. The Phils love that he seemingly has no fear -- of opposing hitters or their home ballpark. In nine starts at the Bank, typically no friend to pitchers, Kendrick is 6-0 with a 3.26 ERA. "I like pitching here," Kendrick said, echoing words never before spoken about the South Philly bandbox. "I don't know what it is. I like the mound. I just like pitching here."
Overall, Kendrick is 7-3 with a 3.89 ERA in 14 starts since being rushed to the majors from double-A Reading. He has allowed 91 hits and 21 walks in 88 innings, not bad for any pitcher, especially one who wasn't invited to major-league spring training. I thought it may be interesting to see how Kendrick's first 14 starts stack up with the first 14 starts made by several other, more accomplished, pitchers. So, here goes:
Cole Hamels: 4-6, 4.97 ERA, 76 innings, 70 hits, 32 walks
Brett Myers: 4-6, 4.07 ERA, 84 innings, 85 hits, 35 walks
Dontrelle Willis: 9-2, 2.67 ERA, 84.1 innings, 78 hits, 27 walks
John Smoltz: 3-8, 4.96 ERA, 78 innings, 86 hits, 38 walks
Tom Glavine: 3-7, 5.13 ERA, 80.2 innings, 82 hits, 46 walks
Jake Peavy: 5-7, 4.73 ERA, 80 innings, 86 hits, 27 walks
Brad Penny: 3-6, 5.09 ERA, 70.2 innings, 69 hits, 37 walks
Randy Wolf: 5-5, 4.81 ERA, 86 innings, 88 hits, 44 walks
Ben Sheets: 9-4, 3.52 ERA, 87 innings, 88 hits, 33 walks
Kerry Wood: 7-3, 3.48 ERA, 85.1 innings, 60 hits, 47 walks
Mark Prior: 5-3, 3.38 ERA, 88 innings, 66 hits, 32 walks
Josh Beckett: 4-5, 3.13 ERA, 77.2 innings, 56 hits, 31 walks
Daisuke Matsuzaka: 8-5, 4.18 ERA, 92.2 innings, 88 hits, 30 walks
Erik Bedard: 3-2, 3.84 ERA, 70.1 innings, 71 hits, 38 walks
Scott Kazmir: 2-7, 4.72 ERA, 74.1 innings, 76 hits, 40 walks
Felix Hernandez: 4-5, 2.97 ERA, 94 innings, 70 hits, 31 walks
Talk amongst yourself. Looks to me like Kendrick has had as much immediate success, or more, than most guys. ... I'll check in later from the Bank to preview the big series with the Mets.
7 comments:
you need to add in strikeouts if you're going to account for walks. strikeouts are one of the few things a pitcher can control. and kyle doesn't really strike anyone out.
gotta be careful he'll do exactly what germano has done this year. he didn't strike anyone out. the book came out on him and now he's getting rocked left and right.
Kendrick has been outstanding this season, but I hope he has continued success in years to come. I remember last season when we acquired LHP Matt Smith for the bullpen, he did a great job because no one knew much about him so there weren't any big expectations. It looked like he went out there and had fun. This year, he arrived at Spring Training as the Phillies' lone left hander in the bullpen. It looked like he put too much pressure on himself and failed miserably.
Kendrick seems to have great composure though, but only time will tell if we have a decently solid, young starting pitcher.
By the way - a little off topic, but what's going on with Francisco Rosario? I know he was injured early in the season and had control problems in the majors, but is he still rehabbing or did they just send him to the minors? Also, do you see any realistic possibility of Freddy Garcia and Ryan Madson returning this season? I also haven't really heard any word on Michael Bourn as of late.
Just wondering if you have any updates. Thanks Scott.
With the exception of Dontrelle Willis and Ben Sheets, Kendrick's numbers stack up against the others pretty well. Thing is, Kendrick doesn't strike guys out at a prolific rate (a la Ben Sheets, Scott Kazmir, Erik Bedard, etc). That's just about the only difference, and I'll take a few extra wins over a few dozen strikeouts any day. He's incredibly consistent and has really shown us all, I think, that he belongs in the majors next year as the number three starter.
those ground balls are going to start finding holes. he's only has like a 3.1 K/9. he's gonna have to step it up more if he is going to last in the majors.
ALL of those guys on that list are strikeout machines. and they were K machines when they debut'd, too.
as i said, thats the one thing a pitcher can control. his strikeouts. the more they strike out there is less of a chance for the ball to go into the field and find a place to land without a glove near by.
Kendrick will probably never dominate games like most of the people on your list mainly because he doesn't strike people out. But on the other hand he is definitely the kind of guy you want in your rotation because he is so consistant and he just hangs tough in almost every jam he gets into. He doesn't have the "stuff" other big name pitchers have but he has confidence in what he does have and the "guts" to stick with what has gotten him here.
Interesting list, but certainly flawed statistically... ask those smart guys at Elias for all the stats of all the pitchers in the past ten years through their first 14 starts... you'll find Kendrick top third, I'd bet. Maybe top quarter.. but plenty have started hot, only to crash and burn.
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