Phillies trade Howie Kendrick to Nationals for pitching prospect

By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor

Just two nights after dealing Pat Neshek to the Rockies, the Philadelphia Phillies have traded one of their other veteran additions from the offseason, sending Howie Kendrick to Washington for a minor league pitcher.

It's kind of crazy the Phillies were able to get something done for Kendrick after he'd spent some time pretty recently on the disabled list. That being said, all Kendrick did was hit when he was in the lineup. In 39 games, he slashed .340/.397/.454 with eight doubles, a triple and a home run. With Kendrick on his way out, the Phillies don't have to worry about juggling their young outfield as it looks like they'll run with Aaron Altherr, Odubel Herrera and Nick Williams for the foreseeable future.

In return for Kendrick, the Phils picked up the Nationals No. 18 ranked prospect, McKenzie Mills. The 21-year-old southpaw is was recently promoted to Advanced 'A' Potomac after impressing in Class 'A' Hagerstown in 18 starts. Mills went 12-2 with a 3.01 ERA with Hagerstown, holding the opposition to a .204 average. Here's MLB.com's scouting report on Mills…

A tall and lanky left-hander, Mills features a deceptive delivery and quick arm that generates a lively fastball in the low 90s that he's still learning to command. Scouts anticipate more velocity moving forward and they also like how he attacks hitters up in the zone. Mills' above-average curveball is his go-to secondary offering, and the Nationals have been pleased with the development of his changeup, projecting as a third average-or-better pitch for the lefty.

Mills' success in 2017 is a product of his capacity to make adjustments, as his feel for repeating his delivery more consistently has led to improved fastball command and more effective use of his secondaries. He has the makings of back-end starter on paper, though Washington believes his ceiling is still emerging.

Matt Klentak has made two solid deals thus far prior to the July 31 deadline, acquiring four prospects for two veterans that he added in the offseason. It remains to be seen if the club can deal Jeremy Hellickson, who was scratched from his start on Friday due to potential trade talks.

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