January 11, 2020

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks was once again a quietly-solid fantasy contributor in 2019. The 30-year-old went 11-10 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 20.6% strikeout rate over 177 innings pitched. Hendricks is often overlooked because he isn’t a flashy option. He doesn’t throw hard (sinker and four-seam fastball averaged 86.7 MPH and 87.2 MPH) and, consequently, focuses on command over power pitching. That being said, Hendricks is very good at what he does. His 4.4% walk rate was fifth lowest among qualified starters and his 85.2-MPH average exit velocity and 31% hard-hit rate were in the 97th and 88th percentiles in baseball, respectively. Further, his change of speeds have allowed him to post decent strikeout numbers over his career; his 20.9% career strikeout rate, while not amazing, is decent given his pitching style. Overall, Hendricks presents a high floor in terms of ERA and WHIP while not hurting strikeout totals. He is currently being taken at about pick 159 as the 58th pitcher off the board. Pick 159 may be a bit high for Hendrick’s value in points leagues given his middling strikeout numbers and his inability to hit the 200 innings mark, but seems reasonable in roto leagues given his strong offering in the ERA and WHIP departments. He would be a reliable high-four starting pitcher in any fantasy lineup.--Connelly Doan