Kyle Hendricks

Hendricks attended Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, California. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 39th round of the 2008 MLB draft, but did not sign and instead chose to attend Dartmouth College, where he was a member of the Beta Alpha Omega fraternity.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mymlbdraft.com/2008/round39/|title=2008 MLB Draft Results Round 39 | MLB Draft Results | 2008 MLB Amateur Draft Picks|website=www.mymlbdraft.com}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ocvarsity.com/sports/strong-5345-information-lakers.html |title=Capo Valley pitcher Hendricks signs with Dartmouth | strong, information, lakers - Sports |publisher=OC Varsity |date=January 4, 2008 |access-date=August 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714115849/http://www.ocvarsity.com/sports/strong-5345-information-lakers.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/hendricks-160162-kyle-dartmouth.html |title=Whicker column: Baseballs over golf balls for Capistrano Valley pitcher. Capistrano Valley's Kyle Hendricks was good at golf but passionate for baseball, and now his pitching is rewarding his efforts |first=Mark |last=Whicker |work=The Orange County Register |date=April 26, 2008 |access-date=June 9, 2014}}

He played college baseball for the Dartmouth Big Green under head coach Bob Whalen. In his junior year, Hendricks pitched to a 6–3 win–loss record and a 2.47 earned run average with 70 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched. In 2010, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=63314&seasonid=239 |title=#14 Kyle Hendricks |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=September 23, 2021}}

The Texas Rangers drafted Hendricks in the eighth round, with the 264th overall selection, of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web |url=http://thedartmouth.com/2011/07/08/sports/Hendricks |title=Texas Rangers select pitcher Kyle Hendricks '12 in MLB draft |publisher=TheDartmouth.com |date=July 8, 2011 |access-date=August 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908042325/http://thedartmouth.com/2011/07/08/sports/Hendricks |archive-date=September 8, 2011 |url-status=dead }} He signed with the Rangers, and began his professional career with the Spokane Indians of the Low–A Northwest League.{{cite web |url=http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2011/06/rangers-sign-incredibly-smart.html/ |title=Rangers sign incredibly smart baseball player | Dallas Morning News |publisher=Rangersblog.dallasnews.com |date=June 10, 2011 |access-date=June 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714125029/http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2011/06/rangers-sign-incredibly-smart.html/ |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}

The Cubs acquired Hendricks alongside Christian Villanueva in exchange for Ryan Dempster at the 2012 trade deadline.{{cite web |author=John Arguello |url=http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/05/sleeper-prospect-kyle-hendricks-opening-some-eyes/ |title=Sleeper prospect Kyle Hendricks opening some eyes | Cubs Den |publisher=Chicagonow.com |access-date=August 10, 2013 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821162606/http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/05/sleeper-prospect-kyle-hendricks-opening-some-eyes/ |url-status=dead }} Hendricks began the 2013 season with the Tennessee Smokies of the Double–A Southern League,{{cite web |url=http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/jun/25/ryan-dempster-trade-came-with-expectations-for/ |title=Ryan Dempster trade came with expectations for current Smokies pitcher Kyle Hendricks " Knoxville News Sentinel |publisher=Knoxnews.com |access-date=June 9, 2014 |archive-date=December 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204195726/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/jun/25/ryan-dempster-trade-came-with-expectations-for/ |url-status=dead }} and the Cubs promoted him to the Iowa Cubs of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League (PCL) during the season.{{cite web |url=http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-pitching-prospect-kyle-hendricks-turning-heads |title=Cubs pitching prospect Kyle Hendricks turning heads |publisher=CSN Chicago |access-date=August 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810092936/http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-pitching-prospect-kyle-hendricks-turning-heads |archive-date=August 10, 2013 }} The Cubs named Hendricks their minor league pitcher of the year for 2013.{{cite web|last=Jackson |first=Josh |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-66481588 |title=Hendricks balanced pro ball, Ivy League | MiLB.com News |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=January 22, 2014 |access-date=June 9, 2014}}

Hendricks began the 2014 season with Iowa. He was named the PCL's Pitcher of the Week for May 12–18.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-minors-cubs-spt-0523-20140523,0,4041313.story |title=Kyle Hendricks coming on strong at Triple-A Iowa |publisher=chicagotribune.com |date=May 22, 2014 |access-date=June 9, 2014}}

After the trade of Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Oakland Athletics on July 4, 2014, Hendricks made his Major League Baseball debut with the Chicago Cubs on July 10, against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/25604/dallas-beeler-kyle-hendricks-to-face-reds |title=Dallas Beeler, Kyle Hendricks to face Reds |publisher=ESPNChicago.com |date=July 7, 2014 |access-date=July 10, 2014}} He earned his first win in front of a home crowd against the San Diego Padres on July 22.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=340722116|title=San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs - Box Score - July 22, 2014|work=ESPN.com |date=July 22, 2014|access-date=April 18, 2015}} Hendricks was named the National League Rookie of the Month of August.{{cite web|last1=Misener|first1=Jacob|title=Soler, Valaika drive in two a piece as Cubs roll|url=http://cubbiescrib.com/2014/09/03/jorge-soler-chris-valaika-drive-two-apiece-cubs-roll/|website=cubbiescrib.com|date=September 3, 2014|publisher=SI.com|access-date=September 4, 2014}} Hendricks finished his rookie season with a 7–2 win–loss record and a 2.46 ERA.{{cite web | url=http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/baseball/2015/02/11/chicago-cubs-prospects-kris-bryant-jorge-soler/23238635/ | title=Cubs young talent ready to make imprint in majors | publisher=Indy Star | author=Hendricks, Maggie | date=February 11, 2015 | access-date=February 25, 2015}} Hendricks tied for seventh place with Travis d'Arnaud and Jeurys Familia in the NL Rookie of the Year Award voting.{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_2014.shtml#NLroy | title=NL Rookie of the Year Voting | publisher=Baseball Reference}}

Hendricks began the 2015 season as a member of the Cubs' starting rotation, led by the newly signed Jon Lester.{{cite web | url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/387661/year-turning-4-year-deal-cubs-wood-starts | publisher=Chicago Sun Times | date=February 22, 2015 | access-date=February 25, 2015 | author=Wittenmyer, Gordon | title=Year after turning down 4-year deal from Cubs, Wood turns page | archive-date=February 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225125617/http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/387661/year-turning-4-year-deal-cubs-wood-starts | url-status=dead }}

His record was 8–7 with 180 innings pitched and he had an ERA of 3.95.{{cite web|title=MLB Stats|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/kyle-hendricks-543294|website=MLB.com|publisher=MLB.com|access-date=October 3, 2016}} His 17 no decisions were the most among MLB starting pitchers in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/2TgtV|title=Pitching Game Finder: For 2015, Recorded no decision, as Starter, sorted by greatest number of games in a single season matching the selected criteria|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=July 14, 2018}} He was the starter for game two of the 2015 National League Division Series with St. Louis and game three in the 2015 National League Championship Series against the New York Mets.{{fact|date=October 2020}}

Hendricks was named NL Pitcher of the Month for August.{{cite web|title=Bryant named NL Player of the Month, Hendricks named NL Pitcher of the Month|url=http://wgntv.com/2016/09/03/bryant-named-nl-player-of-the-month-hendricks-named-nl-pitcher-of-the-month/|website=wgntv.com|date=September 3, 2016|publisher=WGN TV|access-date=September 6, 2016}}

Hendricks finished the 2016 season with a record of 16–8 in 190 innings pitched and an ERA of 2.13, which was the lowest in all of baseball. He was the first Cub to lead the National League in the stat since 1945 and the first to lead the majors since 1938.{{cite web|last1=Pace|first1=Cody|title=Hendricks ends regular season with ERA title|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-kyle-hendricks-earns-era-title-c204713010|website=MLB.com|publisher=MLB.com|access-date=October 3, 2016|archive-date=October 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005083349/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/204713010/cubs-kyle-hendricks-earns-era-title/?game_pk=449284|url-status=live}} He also led all major league pitchers in first-strike percentage (68.6%).{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=5&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=10,d|title=Major League Leaderboards » 2016 » Pitchers » Plate Discipline Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball|website=www.fangraphs.com}}

In Game 6 of the NLCS, Hendricks pitched {{fract|7|1|3}} innings facing the minimum in the clinching game to send the Cubs to their first World Series since 1945. The Cubs won the 2016 World Series over the Cleveland Indians, with Hendricks as the starting pitcher in Games 3 and 7, giving them their first title in 108 years.{{cite web|last1=Bastian|first1=Jordan|last2=Muskat|first2=Carrie|title=Chicago Cubs win 2016 World Series|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/chicago-cubs-win-2016-world-series-c207938228|publisher=MLB|access-date=November 3, 2016|archive-date=November 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130223630/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207938228/chicago-cubs-win-2016-world-series/|url-status=live}}

On June 8, 2017, Hendricks was placed on the 10-day disabled list (transaction retroactive three days prior) due to middle finger tendon inflammation in his right hand.{{cite web|last1=Muskat|first1=Carrie|title=Kyle Hendricks goes on DL with finger injury|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-kyle-hendricks-on-dl-with-finger-injury-c235211646|publisher=MLB|access-date=June 8, 2017}}

He finished the season with a 7–5 record and a 3.03 ERA over 139.2 innings. He tied for the major league lead in pickoffs, with seven, while allowing 13 stolen bases and having four caught stealing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2017-basesituation-pitching.shtml|title=2017 Major League Baseball Baserunning/Situ|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Hendricks pitched Games 1 and 5 of the NLDS, and Game 3 of the NLCS. Across the three games, he was 1–1 with a 3.94 ERA in a combined 17 innings.{{fact|date=October 2020}}

In 2018, he was 14–11 with a 3.44 ERA{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kyle-hendricks/12049/stats?position=P|title=Kyle Hendricks - Stats - Pitching | FanGraphs Baseball|website=www.fangraphs.com}} and led all major league pitchers in changeup percentage (30.7%).{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=4&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=11,d|title=Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Pitchers » Pitch Type Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball|website=www.fangraphs.com}} He was the losing pitcher in the NL Wild Card Game, giving up three straight hits and one run in the 13th inning against the Colorado Rockies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/rockies-vs-cubs-final-score-things-to-know-colorado-outlasts-chicago-in-nl-wild-card-game-to-advance-to-nlds/|title=Rockies vs. Cubs final score, things to know: Colorado outlasts Chicago in NL Wild Card Game to advance to NLDS|website=CBSSports.com}}

On March 26, 2019, Hendricks and the Cubs agreed to a four-year contract extension through the 2023 season with a vesting option for the 2024 season.{{cite news |last=Bastion |first=Jordan |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/kyle-hendricks-contract-extension-with-cubs |title=Cubs, Hendricks agree on 4-year extension |work=MLB.com |date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=May 4, 2019 }} Hendricks picked up his first career Maddux with an 81-pitch victory over the Cardinals on May 3. Hendricks, who was already aware of the term, stated, "Lucky I got one. Every time I go out there, I'm trying to get early contact and get early outs. When it happens to go this way, you can say, 'Look, I did it!'"{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/961510/2019/05/03/look-i-did-it-kyle-hendricks-throws-an-81-pitch-maddux/|title='Look, I did it!': Kyle Hendricks throws an 81-pitch...|last=Sharma|first=Sahadev|website=The Athletic|access-date=May 6, 2019}}

He finished the season with an 11–10 record with a 3.46 ERA across 177 innings, with the lowest BB/9 rate he had up to this point in his career.

On July 24, 2020, Hendricks pitched a complete-game shutout in the Cubs' season opener versus the Brewers, only throwing 103 pitches with three hits allowed, nine strikeouts, and no walks.{{Cite web|title=Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs Results, Stats, and Recap - July 24, 2020 Gametracker|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20200724_MIL@CHC/|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=CBSSports.com|language=en}} It was the first Opening Day shutout by a Cubs pitcher since Bill Bonham in 1974, and the first Opening Day shutout in MLB since Clayton Kershaw in 2013.{{Cite web|title=One cool fact from each Opening Day game|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-opening-day-facts-to-know|date=July 25, 2020|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=MLB.com}}

In 2020 he was 6–5 with a 2.88 ERA.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hendrky01.shtml|title=Kyle Hendricks Stats|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} He led the NL in fewest walks per 9 IP (0.885), and in strikeout/walk ratio (8.000), and was eighth in losses.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2020-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2020 National League Pitching Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Hendricks also finished ninth in Cy Young voting, tying Zac Gallen and Clayton Kershaw in the process.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_2020.shtml#all_NL_CYA_voting|title=2020 Awards Voting|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

On April 18, 2021, in a game against the Atlanta Braves, Hendricks allowed home runs to Freddie Freeman, Travis d'Arnaud, Ehire Adrianza, and Guillermo Heredia all in the first inning, becoming the first pitcher in Cubs history to allow four home runs in the first inning, and only the ninth player in history to accomplish the feat.{{cite tweet |last=Langs |first=Sarah |user=SlangsOnSports |number=1383924217758982153 |date=April 18, 2021 |title=Kyle Hendricks is the 1st pitcher in Cubs history to allow 4 HR in the 1st inning 9th time it has happened in MLB history |language=en |access-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418232730/https://twitter.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1383924217758982153 |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |url-status=live}} He finished the 2021 season with a 14–7 record, a 4.77 ERA and an MLB-leading 200 hits allowed.

In 16 starts for Chicago in 2022, Hendricks registered a 4–6 record and 4.80 ERA with 66 strikeouts in {{fraction|84|1|3}} innings pitched. His last start was made on July 5, after which it was discovered that he suffered a capsular tear in his shoulder and would miss the remainder of the season.{{Cite web|title=Chicago Cubs' Kyle Hendricks Sidelined for Remainder of 2022 season|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/injuries/chicago-cubs-kyle-hendricks-sidelined-for-remainder-of-2022-season|access-date=June 13, 2023|website=si.com|date=August 23, 2022 |language=en}}

Hendricks returned from his injury to make 24 starts for Chicago in 2023. Spanning 137 innings, he compiled a 6–8 record and 3.74 ERA with 93 strikeouts.{{Cite web|title=Kyle Hendricks 2023 Game by Game Pitching Logs|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/pitchinglogs.php?p=hendrky01&y=2023|access-date=June 8, 2024|website=baseball-almanac.com|language=en}}

The highest ERA by a Cub in his first five starts of a season was set by Hendricks at the start of the 2024 season with a 12.00 ERA.{{Cite web|title=Kyle Hendricks' 12.00 ERA is worst among all-time Cubs in first five starts.|url=https://www.57hits.com/kyle-hendricks-12-era|access-date=April 22, 2024|website=57hits.com|date=April 22, 2024 |language=en}} After continued struggles, Hendricks was moved to the bullpen on May 21, 2024.{{Cite web|title=Hendricks raring to take on new bullpen role|url=https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/kyle-hendricks-on-adjusting-to-new-bullpen-role-for-cubs|access-date=May 23, 2024|website=mlb.com|language=en}} In 29 total games (24 starts) for the Cubs in 2024, he compiled a 4–12 record and 5.92 ERA with 87 strikeouts across 130.2 innings pitched. On October 31, Hendricks elected to become a free agent.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/cubs/roster/transactions/2024/10 |title=Cubs Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |publisher=Chicago Cubs |date=October 2024 |accessdate=October 31, 2024}}

On November 6, 2024, Hendricks signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/kyle-hendricks-angels-deal |title=Angels agree to 1-year deal with veteran RHP Hendricks (source) |work=MLB.com |first=Rhett |last=Bollinger |date=November 6, 2024 |access-date=November 6, 2024}}

On June 7, 2025, Hendricks pitched against Seattle Mariners and recorded his 100th career win. Ron Washington praised Hendrick's performance, noting that he is doing much better than what his ERA shows.{{Cite web |title=Hundred for Hendricks: Angels vet hits century mark in wins |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/kyle-hendricks-records-100th-career-win-as-angels-beat-mariners |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

Hendricks grew up in San Juan Capistrano, California.{{cite news|title=The Chicago Cubs and their unlikely ace could make history |magazine=Time |publisher =Time Inc. |pages=50–52 |date=October 31, 2016 |quote=After beginning the season as the last starter in the Cubs rotation, the soft-throwing Dartmouth graduate whom teammates call the Professor has blossomed into one of the best pitchers in baseball.}} His father, John, is a golf pro; his mother, Ann Marie, is a medical management consultant. He earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Dartmouth College in December 2013, after completing his coursework in the winter of 2012 and fall of 2013. Hendricks is nicknamed "The Professor" by his teammates and fans. The nickname is not only a reference to Hendricks's Ivy League education, but also an homage to Greg Maddux, who also sported the same nickname.{{cite news |last=Greenstein |first=Teddy |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-kyle-hendricks-success-cubs-spt-0602-20160601-story.html |title=Kyle Hendricks knows Greg Maddux chatter far-fetched but still |work=Chicago Tribune |date=June 1, 2016 |access-date=October 23, 2016 }} Hendricks chose "Hendo" as his nickname for the Players Weekend during the 2017 season.{{cite web | title=MLB Players Weekend to showcase unique nicknames, colorful uniforms | website=Chicago Sun-Times | date=August 10, 2017 | url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/8/10/18369007/mlb-players-weekend-to-showcase-unique-nicknames-colorful-uniforms | access-date=October 25, 2024}}

Hendricks married longtime girlfriend Emma Cain in November 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-kyle-hendricks-wedding-chicago-inc-20171120-story.html|title=Cubs' Kyle Hendricks weds Emma Cain with teammates in attendance|publisher=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 4, 2018 |last1=Thompson |first1=Phil }}

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Category:1989 births

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