Red Sox: Kyle Kendrick continues to have a stellar Spring

Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Kyle Kendrick is continuing to show that he still has the ability to pitch in the Big Leagues.

We are less than three weeks away from the Boston Red Sox hitting the field to start the 2017 season!

As fans are getting excited to see their favorite players at Fenway Park, pitcher Kyle Kendrick is continuing to show that he should be in Boston come Opening Day.

So far in the Spring, the 32-year old has pitched in five games, throwing 18 innings, while posting a 1.50 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. After signing a Minor League contract worth $1 million, Kendrick is now being looked at as a potential pitcher on the Opening Day roster based on those numbers.

With those stats being great, it makes it even more surprising due to the fact that he hasn’t pitched in the Major Leagues since 2015.

Boston Herald writer Evan Drellich talked with Kendrick about how he is not taking Spring Training lightly. 

"“You know everyone says, ‘Oh, it’s just spring training,’ but it’s not just spring training for me,” Kendrick said. “Last year, I went into camp (with Atlanta) thinking it was just spring training, I made two starts and was released.I want to go out there and show them that I’m healthy and show them that I can pitch.”"

Although it seems unlikely for Kendrick to be in the Opening Day rotation, he is definitely making it hard for manager John Farrell to make his final cuts.

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With former Cy Young pitcher David Price starting the year on the disabled list, the starting rotation for Opening Day will likely be Rick Porcello, Chris Sale, Steven Wright, Drew Pomeranz, and Eduardo Rodriguez. Which means Kendrick is on the outside looking in.

Kendrick continued to talk with Drellich about how he knows people are clearly in front of him on the pitching depth chart, but that won’t stop him from trying.

"“Obviously, I see five guys in front of me. But I’ve played long enough, you always see there’s never five starters throughout a whole season. . . . Very rarely do you make five starters through a season.”"

With Kendrick understanding the fact that he will probably start off the year as the 6th starter makes it perfect for the organization as a whole. Sometimes, you have pitchers not handling these specific situations well, and it will later mess with their performance on the field during the season.

After being the Colorado Rockies Opening Day starter just two years ago, Kendrick is ready to turn over a new leaf and start his career over as a brand new pitcher.

"“As long as I’m feeling good and healthy, I know I can pitch,” Kendrick said. “Let the chips fall where they may. Last year was way too much pressure. . . . So this year, took a different route.”"

After multiple years of being on rebuilding teams, Kyle Kendrick just wants to have an opportunity to be apart of a winning ball club.

Next: Red Sox: Pablo Sandoval earning his spot with impressive spring

Be on the look out for him sometime in 2017 as he will probably be making a few appearances on the mound at Fenway Park.