Da Windy City
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Biggest question facing each Chicago Cubs starter in 2016

By Paul Steeno

Mar 16, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey (L) and catcher Miguel Montero talk in the dugout during the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey (L) and catcher Miguel Montero talk in the dugout during the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks speaks at a press conference during practice the day before game three of the 2015 NLCS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks speaks at a press conference during practice the day before game three of the 2015 NLCS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Kyle Hendricks: Is he a good pitcher?

It is time for the Chicago Cubs to find out what they have in third-year starter Kyle Hendricks.

In 2015, Hendricks recorded 180 innings and accumulated an 8-7 record and a 3.95 ERA. In that time frame, he showed flashes of brilliance.

Hendricks problem in 2015 was consistency; he recorded a 2.21 and 3.14 ERA in August and May respectively, but his 5.60 and 6.50 ERA in June and September/October respectively ballooned his overall ERA. With all of this inconsistency, it is tough to project which Kyle Hendricks the Cubs will get in 2016.

The biggest thing that the 26-year-old, Dartmouth grad has going for him is a strong work ethic. He meticulously studies the competition in film-room sessions before starts. He wants to get better, and so far during Spring Training this strong work ethic has paid off for him.

In 14 innings of work across four appearances, Hendricks has surrendered two runs on seven hits. CBS reporter Scott White noted an interesting stat about Hendricks 2015 season that should make the Cubs optimistic about his potential moving forward.

"Clayton Kershaw, Jake Arrieta, Gerrit Cole, Jacob deGrom, Chris Sale, Zack Greinke, Max Scherzer, David Price, Carlos Carrasco, Madison Bumgarner, Chris Archer, Dallas Keuchel, Jon Lester, Corey Kluber, Matt Harvey, Cole Hamels, Danny Salazar and Felix Hernandez. That’s the complete list of pitchers who had at least 180 innings, at least 8.0 strikeouts per nine innings and at most a 1.20 WHIP last season. Oh wait, I forgot one: Kyle Hendricks. —-Content created by CBS reporter Scott White"

Hendricks mix-and-matches a total of five pitches: a 4-seam fastball, sinker, cutter, curve and change. According to Brooks-Baseball.net, he gets swing percentages over 30 percent on all five of his pitches which contributes to his remarkably low 2.0 BB/9 average across his first two seasons as a professional. His best pitch is his changeup; last season he induced 83 strikeouts and a .173 opponent batting average with this pitch.

The problem for Hendricks is his lack of a plus-fastball may top out his ceiling lower than the Cubs would like. According to Brooks-Baseball.net, he averages 89.40 MPH on his fastest pitch (4-seam fastball), and opponents have a .295 batting average against this pitch.

So how good is Kyle Hendricks?

He could legitimately be the Chicago Cubs third best starter if he has a good season. His low BB% (5.8 percent) and high ground-ball rate (51.3 percent) bode well for his sustained success. By the end of 2016, the Chicago Cubs should have a good indication of whether Kyle Hendricks is a long-term asset for this organization or a stop-gap, back-end of the rotation guy for the time being.

Next: Can Jason Hammel redeem himself?

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