UCLABruins.com
Kevin Kendall, SS
B/T: L/R HT: 5’10 WT: 175LB
Age: June 25, 1999 (22)
Acquired: Mets 2021 Seventh Round Draft Pick (UCLA – Los Angeles, CA)
2021 Stats (St. Lucie): .327/.421/.451, 22 R, HR, 11 RBI
When Kendall was drafted in the seventh round by the New York Mets, the shortstop was dominating in the Pac-12. he hit .356/.413/.498 with a .911 OPS in the 56 game season, set career highs in virtually all offensive categories and earned himself Pac-12 All-Conference Team honorable mentions.
Upon signing with the Mets, he played 31 games with Low-A St. Lucie where he continued his red hot 2021 campaign. During his brief stay with St. Lucie he hit .327/.421/.451 with an OPS of .872. He also continued to showcase his speed, stealing eight bases on ten attempts.
Mets 2021 7th rounder Kevin Kendall hits a two-run single in his first professional at-bat for the @stluciemets. pic.twitter.com/CLntQmy5pS
— Michael Mayer (@mikemayer22) August 6, 2021
Kendall is an above average defender in the middle infield. Drafted as a shortstop, he also played some games in 2021 at second base and in center field while with UCLA. Steve Sypa of Amazin’ Avenue noted on Kendall’s overall defense:
Thanks to his speed, he has above-average range in the infield, whether it be at second base or shortstop. He shows above-average reaction times, has quick-twitch athleticism that gives him a good first step and has soft hands. Once again because of the speed, he has above-average range in the outfield. That speed lets him turn on the afterburners to correct course when necessary, but more reps in any of the outfield positions will let him learn how to read the ball off the bat better and take more efficient routes to the ball. His one defensive weakness is his arm strength, which was affected by past injuries. His arm fluctuates between below-average to above-average and not accurate to accurate
Based off his 2021 season at both UCLA and St. Lucie, Kendall could likely find himself starting his first full professional season with High-A Brooklyn in 2022. If last season is any indication of what he can do with his bat, speed and if he can improve on his defense this coming season, Kendall could move up the ranks in the Met farm system very quickly.
