Chicago Cubs: Ranking the greatest players of the decade – #10-1

Chicago Cubs: No. 4: Kyle Hendricks

Kyle Hendricks might not get the national attention that other pitchers of his caliber do, but Chicago Cubs fans have sure taken notice. In an age where everyone is throwing harder and faster, Hendricks is a throwback in the mold of the great Greg Maddux.

The Cubs acquired Hendricks in 2012 in the Ryan Dempster trade with the Texas Rangers, and ever since Hendricks has made the Rangers look foolish for making that trade. The crafty right-hander made a big impression in his first taste of the majors in 2014, posting a 2.46 ERA in 13 starts.

Hendricks made 32 starts with a 3.95 ERA in 2015, but in 2016 he was as big of a reason as any why the Cubs won the World Series, leading the league in ERA at 2.13 and finishing third in NL Cy Young award voting. Fans will never forget his masterful performance in Game 6 of the 2016 NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers as the Cubs won the pennant that night. Hendricks also pitched well after he was given the starting assignment in Game 7 of the World Series, though he didn’t get a decision.

Since that magical 2016 season, Hendricks has quietly gone about his business, posting ERAs of 3.03, 3.44, and 3.46. Hopefully, he has many more great years in a Chicago Cubs uniform ahead of him.