Howie Kendrick, second base, Los Angeles Angels
July 5, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick (47) fields a hit during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Of the remaining second basemen not selected to the AL team, Los Angeles’ Howie Kendrick tops my list.
Kendrick, in 86 games this season, has 105 hits with 13 doubles and four triples. He’s batting .315 with 40 RBIs and 11 home runs.
The second baseman has compiled an OBP of .358 and a .477 slugging percentage, along with an OPS of .835.
Getting selected at second base is tough in the AL, so the case has to be made he’s better than second base reserves Jason Kipnis of the Cleveland Indians, Dustin Peroria of the Boston Red Sox or Ben Zobrist of the Tampa Bay Rays.
That’s a tough group to compete with.
Again, it comes down to a numbers game for Kendrick, though he still deserves high consideration if a roster spot becomes available.