Chicago Cubs: It’s business as usual for Kyle Hendricks at camp

 There won’t be any more “surprising” opponents for the Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks. After several years of having to battle for a spot in the rotation, it’s all his this year. But that hasn’t changed the approach of last year’s NL ERA leader.

Chicago Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks comes into this camp with the same mentality and approach he’s had for the past few years. It’s just that now he comes in as last year’s ERA leader in the NL while finishing third in the NL Cy Young. But he doesn’t need to have that chip on his shoulder anymore, right? Not quite. He’ll continue using that to his advantage as he looks to build on his 2016 breakout season.

Up until the middle of last season, many compared his style to that of Greg Maddux. But it was a dangerous comparison when you’re using one of the best pitchers of his era. Even with his amazing second half and his ERA title, it was Game 7 of the World Series that he’s been asked about the most. The “professor” is always cordial with an answer that seems honest but rehearsed:

“I say, ‘Hey, we won, right?’ That’s all that matters,” Hendricks said. “I really just tell them I was expecting [Game 7] to be a short start going into it, which it was.

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I can believe that’s his honest answer, as Hendricks didn’t have the response to being pulled early like former Cubs starter Jason Hammel did. But there is a good portion of fans that thought Joe Maddon made the “wrong call” on pulling him from that game. Again, the Cubs did win. And Hendricks doesn’t mind the support from the fans.

“You guys [the media] have heard it all before, but to hear it from fans sometimes, it gives you a little reassurance. It’s good they’re on your side.”

Class is in session

After a strong rookie campaign in which he went 7-2 with a 2.46 ERA, there was a drop off last year. So as 2016 Spring Training began, Hendricks was battling for a spot in the rotation. Even after securing it, his season didn’t get off to the greatest of starts. After the June 13 game against Washington, he was 5-6 with a 3.05 ERA. There were plenty of Cubs fans in social media groups that were ready to be done with Hendricks. I was not one of those fans. From there, he lost only two more games. He finished 16-8 with his league-leading 2.13 ERA.

So besides baffling hitters–and fans–with his less than blazing stuff, what’s he doing to get better this year? He’s worked to develop his curveball, hopefully, to use as a putaway pitch. He’s also watching what the hitters are giving him in the spring, to see where he needs to make changes.

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“You’re always competing with yourself, in a way,” Hendricks said. “As long as you don’t focus on the outside factors. Focus on what you can control.

With what he did last season, it has to make you wonder what he doesn’t have under control. If things keep trending in this direction for Hendricks, it won’t be how he’s “like Maddux”, but how he’s “as good as Maddux”.