Chicago Cubs' Kyle Hendricks: From under the radar to postseason ace

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Just over a few years into his career, Kyle Hendricks will take the mound for the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of the 2017 NLDS.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks did not burst onto the scene as a top overall prospect. His arrival in the big leagues was not reminiscent of someone like Noah Syndergaard or Clayton Kershaw.

But four seasons into his career, Hendricks has won a World Series, placed third among NL Cy Young award finalists, finished a full season as MLB’s ERA leader, and now he’s set to start Game 1 of the NLDS. By most accounts, Hendricks has well exceeded the expectations people had for him when he entered the league.

The comparisons have been there. But it’s always “he reminds me of Greg Maddux, but obviously, he isn’t.” With each passing day, we might be able to drop the “obviously he isn’t,” and start talking about what makes him so similar.

The journey

Kyle Hendricks is affectionately known by fans and teammates alike as ‘The Professor.’ This stemming from his time at the Ivy League school Dartmouth, where he pitched from 2009 to 2011. Hendricks was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of high school in 2008 but opted instead to play college baseball.

This would prove to be a wise decision, as he went from being drafted in the 39th round in 2008 to being drafted in the eighth round in 2011 by the Texas Rangers. Choosing to forego his senior year at Dartmouth, Hendricks signed on with the Rangers and began his professional career in their minor league system.

In July of 2012, Hendricks was traded from the Rangers to the Chicago Cubs for Ryan Dempster. Perhaps best known for his Harry Caray impressions, you might be shocked to learn that Dempster was a decent pitcher, too. All jokes aside, Dempster was a beloved member of the Cubs, and he had some truly memorable years with the team. But he was 35 years old, and the Cubs were in the midst of a total rebuild.

From Texas to Chicago

Enter Kyle Hendricks. While he was always considered a fairly auspicious talent, long-term conjecture for the right-hander was never overly bullish.

Hendricks’ demeanor could best be described in the words of teammate Jon Lester, who had this to say according to MLB.com beat writer Carrie Muskat:

He doesn’t let the emotions of the game get to him. The pitching aspect of it is impressive, but what he does on the mound to control his emotions and how he goes about his business out there, you’d never know if he’s up 10 [runs], down 10, or if it’s an April 15 start or a World Series start.

Indeed, Hendricks does not let his emotions bleed through into his performances. Rumor has it one of his teammates actually saw him smile once, but that hasn’t been confirmed.

After a couple of seasons in the Chicago Cubs’ farm system, Hendricks made his major league debut on July 10, 2014, against the Cincinnati Reds. Hendricks’ rookie season was a successful one, finishing 7-2 with a 2.46 ERA across 13 starts and 80 1/3 innings pitched.

This earned Hendricks a full-time spot in the Cubs’ rotation in 2015. His sophomore season saw a bit of a drop-off in production, but it was his first full season as a big league starter, and it was a productive year nonetheless.

The Chicago Cubs find a diamond in the rough

The following season, Hendricks fully showcased his abilities and surprised the baseball world. Going 16-8 with a 2.13 ERA and an incredible 0.979 WHIP, the right-hander pitched well beyond his perceived abilities.

His ERA for 2016 led all of baseball and earned him a third-place finish in the NL Cy Young race. Not a bad return for an aging pitcher in the twilight years of his career. In fact, many considered the Rangers’ package for Dempster to be rather weak. It’s fair to say things worked out favorably for Chicago.

Hendricks did not disappoint in 2017, either. Stretches of inconsistency and minor injuries aside, he put together another successful season. Not quite on par with his ostensibly irreplicable 2016 season, but still highly effective, Hendricks went 7-5 with a 3.03 ERA.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Hendricks’ style of pitching is his lack of “heat.” He’s proven he doesn’t need it. His average fastball velocity across four seasons, according to FanGraphs, is 88.1 mph. The average fastball velocity in 2017 was 93.0 mph, so Hendricks does not have a flamethrower for an arm.

Instead, he relies on precisely locating his pitches, particularly with his sinker and curveball. He mixes these pitches in with his changeup and cutter to keep hitters honest.

Stacking up

Would you believe me if I told you Hendricks’ first four seasons are comparable to Clayton Kershaw’s?

Kershaw’s first four seasons: 47-28, 2.88 ERA, 1.173 WHIP, 135 ERA+
Hendricks’ first four seasons: 38-22, 2.94 ERA, 1.098 WHIP, 138 ERA+

Now, does this mean Kyle Hendricks is the next Clayton Kershaw? Not quite. They’re just too different in too many ways. And it’s important to note Kershaw was only 20 years old when he made his MLB debut. Hendricks was 24. But it is an impressive overview of what Hendricks has accomplished thus far.

While we can’t definitively say Hendricks is destined for a long career as a rotation ace, we also can’t ignore the trajectory he’s on. And his pitching style is more conducive to a prolonged career than someone who relies on an overpowering fastball to get outs.

Under the lights

Once again, the Chicago Cubs have found themselves in the middle of a possible championship run. They’ll face the Washington Nationals in Game 1 of the NLDS. Taking the mound will be Hendricks himself.

Next: Cubs will face Strasburg in Game 1

Two years ago, when the Cubs made the playoffs ahead of schedule, there were questions as to whether or not Hendricks would even make the playoff roster. Fast-forward to the present, and he’s the Cubs’ first choice to set the tone.

Once under the radar, Kyle Hendricks has arrived, and he’s perfectly content to shatter your expectations in the most mild-mannered way possible. Onward, Professor.

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Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks: From under the radar to postseason ace