Ben Hendrickson Stats & Scouting Report

IP	58
ERA	7.448
WHIP	1.862
BB/9	4.5
SO/9	5.741

Full name Benjamin John Hendrickson
Born 02/04/1981 in St. Cloud, MN
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Jefferson
Debut 06/02/2004
Drafted in the 10th round (304th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1999.

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Six-foot-3, 185-pound RHP Ben Hendrickson jumped into the void as Minnesota's top-rate high school player. He blew away the local competition with an 87-89 mph fastball.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Hendrickson pitched 46 big league innings in 2004, but his struggles in 2005, Nashville's run to the Pacific Coast League title and Milwaukee's relatively healthy rotation kept him on the farm all season. He has lost luster since he was the Triple-A International League pitcher of the year in 2004. He posted a 10.93 ERA in big league camp last spring, landing him back in Triple-A. He struggled with his mechanics and command from the start in 2005, and his walk total was the highest he had posted since his first full season in 2001. Hendrickson adjusted and challenged hitters more as the year went on, but his stuff--aside from his plus curveball that remains his meal ticket--was too short to overcome constantly being behind hitters. His 88-91 mph fastball had more life last season, but he still pitched backward too often and wasn't as good throwing his curveball and changeup for strikes in fastball counts. His changeup remains his third pitch, though he emphasized it more in 2005. The Brewers say Hendrickson's upside is that of a Jeff Suppan type, a durable fourth or fifth starter. He also profiles similarly to journeyman Dave Eiland, who never quite had the stuff to get big leaguers out consistently. Hendrickson will get a shot at the fifth starter spot in Milwaukee, with Dana Eveland his biggest in-house competition.
Despite bouncing back and forth between Triple-A Indianapolis and Milwaukee last season, Hendrickson was the International League pitcher of the year and topped the league in ERA. He lost his first six decisions in a rough major league debut before beating the Reds. Hendrickson relies on spotting his 88-91 mph fastball to set up a sharp 12-to-6 curveball. His changeup was much improved last year and helped him to keep hitters off balance. He has clean arm action and good command, though it wandered during his major league trial. He didn't show any signs of the elbow troubles that hindered him in 2003. Sometimes Hendrickson relies on his curveball too much, allowing hitters to sit on it. Because he doesn't blow the ball by hitters, he can't afford to work behind in the count, which he did too often in the majors. He'll need to continue to hone his changeup. Hendrickson looked more comfortable in his last few starts with the Brewers. It gave him an idea of the adjustments he needs to make in order to make the 2005 rotation in spring training.
Hendrickson has some of the best stuff in the organization and has methodically moved up the ladder. He had elbow problems in 2003, however, and was shut down for a couple of months. Hendrickson pitched well after returning, including a standout stint in the Arizona Fall League, so club officials believe the tender elbow isn't a long-term problem. Hendrickson has a solid 89-93 mph fastball and a cutter, but what sets him apart is his outstanding curveball. He throws it over the top and it has a sharp 12-to-6 break, freezing hitters even when they're expecting it. Hendrickson has nice arm action, good command, poise and knowledge of how to set up hitters. Hendrickson relies on his curveball too much, which may have contributed to his elbow soreness. He took a regular turn throughout 2002 but must prove his durability again after making just 16 starts at Huntsville. He continues to work on his changeup. Because Hendrickson looked so sharp in the AFL, the Brewers won't hesitate to promote him to Triple-A in 2004. With his curveball and history of success, he could join Milwaukee's rotation in the near future.
Hendrickson pitched so well in low Class A in 2001 that the Brewers considered jumping him all the way to Double-A Huntsville last year. He started in the hitter-friendly California League instead, pitched well, and didn't skip a beat after a midseason promotion. Of the Brewers' top eight prospects, he's the only one who wasn't drafted by scouting director Jack Zduriencik. Hendrickson has one of the best curveballs in the minors, a spike curve with a 12-to-6 drop. It reminds many scouts of the late Darryl Kile's bender. He also throws an 89-92 mph fastball with running action. He has a clean delivery and nice arm action. Hendrickson's changeup still needs work. His control also needs tweaking. He has a skinny frame, though he has been durable in the minors and pitched a career-high 151 innings last year without missing a start. With a new regime in place, it's not certain whether Hendrickson will open 2003 in Huntsville or Triple-A Indianapolis. Either way, his future as a middle-of-the-rotation starter looks bright. He could be ready for a callup in September.
After a so-so year in Rookie ball in 2000, Hendrickson had a superb season at Beloit. He took a regular turn in the rotation and pitched well more often than not, and suddenly the Brewers think they're on to something. They didn't have much luck in the middle to late rounds of the draft in the 1990s, so perhaps Hendrickson will be an exception. Hendrickson can get his fastball into the 93-94 mph range at times, but he more regularly pitches at 90-91. What sets him apart is a killer curveball. That combination allowed him to average a strikeout per inning at Beloit, and Hendrickson also kept the ball down and in the ballpark. With only 50 innings of pro experience prior to 2001, Hendrickson simply needs to pitch. And it wouldn't hurt to add muscle to his lanky frame, which should provide more strength and the ability to go deeper into games. The Brewers were careful with his pitch counts in 2001. Hendrickson handled himself so well that he might be able to jump right past High Desert and go directly to Huntsville in 2002. Either way, he figures to be in Double-A before the year is out.

Minor League Top Prospects

Hendrickson was virtually unstoppable in his first Triple-A season, claiming IL pitcher-of-the-year honors and the ERA title (2.02). His out pitch is a true 12-6 curveball that he can put wherever he wants. "He gets a lot of guys reaching," Durham manager Bill Evers said. "He's not an overpowering guy at all, but he'll get you to roll the ball over to the infield with that curveball, that's for sure." The rest of Hendrickson's stuff is solid if fairly average. He also uses an 88-94 mph fastball, a cutter and a changeup. He mixes his pitches well and has good poise, though he needs to be more aggressive in the majors after getting hammered in his first taste.
Several of Milwaukee's top prospects spent time in Huntsville this summer, including Ben Diggins, J.J. Hardy, Corey Hart and Dave Krynzel. The best was Hendrickson, who has jumped on the fast track in the last two years. His out pitch is a curveball that ranks among the best in the minors. Hendrickson backs it up with a low-90s fastball and a changeup. The lanky Hendrickson's durability was a mild concern, but he pitched a career-high 151 innings between the California and Southern Leagues without missing a start.
As much as hitters love to hit in High Desert's Mavericks Stadium, they didn't enjoy facing Hendrickson. He contended for the Cal League ERA title until he was promoted to Double-A, giving up just two homers at home. Hendrickson's top pitch is an 81-mph spike curveball that draws comparisons to the late Darryl Kile's 12-to-6 bender. His fastball features good arm-side movement to go with 89-92 mph velocity. Hendrickson also takes a little off his regular curveball and mixes in a changeup. His control has room for improvement, but his arm works well and his delivery is clean.
Managers rated Hendrickson's curveball the top breaking pitch in the MWL. Massarelli and one scout, who both saw Hendrickson reach 94 mph with his fastball, went a step further and called him the best pitching prospect in the league. He more commonly pitches at 90-91 mph, though he has a projectable body and could pick up more velocity. His curve is definitely his out pitch, and he had some success using his changeup against lefthanders. If he continues to refine his changeup while addressing some command and delivery issues, Hendrickson could be special.