On Friday night, the Washington Nationals struck a deal to improve the team's lack of depth in the middle infield and left field with the acquisition of Howie Kendrick. In return, the Philadelphia Phillies landed left-handed pitching prospect McKenzie Mills. Terms of the deal were first reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Matt Breen.
Kendrick's arrival in Washington comes at a needed time. The Nationals are without starting shortstop Trea Turner, center fielder Michael Taylor and left fielder Jayson Werth for several more weeks and with no clear return, Washington struck to address the issue.
The 34-year-old spent a majority of his time this season at left field for the Phillies, with 24 games played in left field compared to 10 at second base. Across 156 plate appearances in Philadelphia this season, Kendrick posted a .340/.397/.454 slash line, .369 wOBA and 126 wRC+.
But Kendrick also carries some injury concern as well, it's been an issue for him this season. Kendrick suffered a hamstring strain in late June that resulted in three missed weeks of action and with just 39 games played on the year, his availability isn't ideal.
But the Nationals only need him as a veteran utility player off the bench, who can fill-in with injuries, but is typically reserved to give rest days to key players late in the second half and pinch hit.
Philadelphia will send cash Washington's way in exchange for a better prospect now headed its way. Rated as Washington's 18th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline in their mid-season update, the lanky, left-handed pitcher shows some interesting traits. In Mills, the Phillies land a 21-year-old southpaw that offers a 55-grade curveball, future 55-level fastball and posted good numbers this season in A-ball.
Across 104 2/3 innings pitched, Mills posted an outstanding 23.1 percent K-BB rate as he kept opposing hitters off balance and demonstrated strong swing-and-miss stuff. Home runs have been a slight issue for him, but the overall numbers are still very impressive. With a 3.01 ERA and his strikeout rates, he could see a bump up to High-A with the Phillies if his success carries over.