Drafted in the 8th round (264th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2011 (signed for $125,000).
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A few Ivy League pitchers from the Upper New England region have a chance to get taken, headlined by Dartmouth's Kyle Hendricks, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound righty from California. Hendricks was taken in the 39th round by the Angels in 2008, and he still shows the 90-95 mph fastball that piqued scouts' interest, though the pitch doesn't have much life. Hendricks has three offspeed pitches in his repertoire, including a curveball, hard slider and changeup. He could get taken in the top 15 rounds.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Hendricks came to the Cubs with third baseman Christian Villanueva in the 2012 Ryan Dempster trade. Hendricks' fastball touched 95 mph in his Ivy League days, but as a pro he's settled in as a command-oriented starter who relies on his feel for pitching, a good changeup and ability to locate his fastball. He mostly pitches in the 85-92 mph range, reading hitters' swings and disrupting their timing. Hendricks throws his changeup to all hitters and has shown the ability to pitch to the inside and outside corners and down with both his fastball and change. He limited righthanders to a .197 average while leading the organization in wins (13), innings (166) and ERA (2.00). He throws both a slider and a curve, both fringe-average, and most scouts prefer the curve, which he throws with some power in the upper 70s. Some scouts give Hendricks 70 control grades. He's not on the 40-man roster yet and should start 2014 at Triple-A Iowa.
Minor League Top Prospects
Hendricks' fastball touched 95 mph in his Ivy League days at Dartmouth, but as a pro his heater settles in near 90 mph. These days, he's a command-oriented starter who relies on his feel for pitching, fastball command and a good changeup. That formula produced positive results during a second-half promotion to the Cubs. Hendricks pitches mostly at 86-91 mph range, reading hitters' swings and disrupting their timing. He throws his changeup to lefties and righties alike and has shown the ability to pitch to the inside and outside corners and down with both his fastball and change. Hendricks throws both a slider and a curve, both fringe-average, and most scouts prefer the curve, which he throws with some power in the upper 70s. Some scouts give him 70-grade control. "He's an intelligent guy," one evaluator said. "He needs to be a little bit finer because he doesn't throw hard. He's always been invested in the game, (and) he has the feel and intelligence to pitch."
An economics major at Dartmouth, Hendricks brings a heady presence to the mound. He does more than just outsmart hitters, though, as he has legitimate stuff too. While he pitched exclusively in relief for Spokane, Hendricks mixes four pitches and has a starter's profile. He uses a sneaky 89-91 mph fastball that can get as high as 94, a sharp curveball, an occasional slider and a plus changeup. The changeup is his best pitch and one he's willing to throw in any count. "You watch him pitch and you can never tell what he's throwing," Hulett said. "His pitching tempo is always the same, whether its a fastball or a changeup. He's just got a good idea out there with great composure and great presence on the mound."
Best Tools List
Rated Best Control in the Pacific Coast League in 2014
Rated Best Control in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2014
Rated Best Changeup in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2014
Rated Best Control in the Chicago Cubs in 2014
Rated Best Changeup in the Chicago Cubs in 2014
Rated Best Control in the Chicago Cubs in 2013
Rated Best Changeup in the Carolina League in 2012
Career Transactions
RHP Kyle Hendricks elected free agency.
Chicago Cubs activated RHP Kyle Hendricks from the 15-day injured list.
Chicago Cubs sent RHP Kyle Hendricks on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs sent RHP Kyle Hendricks on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs sent RHP Kyle Hendricks on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs sent RHP Kyle Hendricks on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs sent RHP Kyle Hendricks on a rehab assignment to Tennessee Smokies.
Chicago Cubs placed RHP Kyle Hendricks on the 15-day injured list. Low back strain.
Chicago Cubs activated RHP Kyle Hendricks from the 15-day injured list.
Chicago Cubs sent RHP Kyle Hendricks on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs sent RHP Kyle Hendricks on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs sent RHP Kyle Hendricks on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs sent RHP Kyle Hendricks on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs placed RHP Kyle Hendricks on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 27, 2023. Right shoulder strain.
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