Kyle Hendricks ’12 Signs Record Contract

The 2019 MLB offseason was a time of exorbitant spending for a number of the league’s top teams. Most notably, two generational players—Mike Trout and Bryce Harper—signed record breaking deals with the Angels and Phillies, respectively. However, names that are well on their way to Cooperstown were of course not the only ones who signed record breaking deals. Kyle Hendricks ’12, a veteran pitcher and World Series champion with the Chicago Cubs, just recently signed the largest professional sports contract an Ivy League Alum has ever signed. Totaling at about $63 million prior to bonuses, Hendricks finds himself in a unique position this spring. Hendricks, for the early parts of his career, was often overlooked as he was under-scouted and certainly under-hyped.  Now, with the money to back his past work, Hendricks will be asked to be an anchor in the Cubs starting rotation. As in any professional sport, with great compensation comes great expectations. 

Hendricks is certainly not amongst the Steven Strasbergs of his generation, who often burst onto the scene throwing 103 miles an hour for 7 innings until Tommy John surgery is absolutely necessary. Instead, Hendricks has brought a certain finesse, intellect, and pinpoint accuracy to the mound that can at times render him one of the best pitchers in baseball. Hendricks relies most heavily on his sinker and changeup—pitches that average around 87 and 78 mph, respectively. His precision is absolutely integral to his game and provides a sense of maturity and longevity that is rare amongst pitchers who can dominate for 7 innings a game. Hendricks occasionally still sneaks in the standard four-seam fastball, but with a pitch speed topping out at around 90 mph, is forced to rely far less heavily on the ability to blow by all-star batters. Many Cy Young award winners, most notably pitchers like CC Sabathia, have a tendency to lose power throughout their career whilst fighting father time. As a result, pitchers must readjust their pitching style to compensate for eroding power if they wish to survive beyond the first couple of years. Hendricks is unique in that he is an off-speed starting pitcher, something that has proven to be far more sustainable regarding long term contracts. By relying upon a keen ability to pitch precisely rather than with overpowering velocity, Hendricks positions himself to have a clear path to a far more sustainable career. The Cubs have put faith in Hendricks and have even included a team option for a 5^th year on the contract, not because he is the best pitcher to ever work through their farm system, but because he has the tools to become an anchor in their rotation for years to come. Though Hendricks has struggled a bit in the past few seasons, accumulating only 21 wins over 57 starts, this contract is an investment in future potential rather than past achievements.