Kyle Hendricks takes the mound for the Los Angeles Angels – a lifelong dream as the Orange Country native pitches for his hometown team. (Photo by Caitlin O’Hara/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
TEMPE – Kyle Hendricks’ journey has come full circle. From an Orange County kid to a World Series champion, the 35-year-old pitcher is now living out a childhood dream with the Los Angeles Angels.
Hendricks, a Newport Beach native, has returned to his roots after 11 years with the Chicago Cubs. The right-hander, who grew up less than 20 miles from Angel Stadium, is embracing the opportunity to don the uniform of the team he cheered for growing up.
“It’s a dream come true growing up super close to Angel Stadium and going to a lot of games with my dad,” Hendricks said. “We would come out to spring training as well here in Tempe so it’s a full circle and going back home, it’s amazing.”
The journey to this season’s homecoming has been anything but straightforward. Hendricks was drafted by the Angels in the 39th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Capistrano High School in Mission Viejo, California.
He decided to go to college at Dartmouth College before being selected by the Texas Rangers in the eighth round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He was traded at the 2012 trade deadline by the Rangers to the Cubs.
Now, after his long stint in Chicago – which included playing a pivotal role in breaking a 108-year World Series drought – Hendricks finds himself back where it all began. His story this upcoming season is not only about returning home but inspiring the new generation of Angels pitchers as a seasoned veteran.
“Obviously being the new guy and trying to fit in a new group, but that’s what we’re all used to in baseball,” Hendricks said. “It was just a blessing to be in Chicago, but a little bizarre to be in one place for that long.
“So to come to somewhere new is what we’re all used to, and baseball is a small world because we have all played with these guys and competed against each other.”
Hendricks got his first taste of free agency over the offseason and wasted little time. He signed with the Angels on a one-year contract for $2.5 million.
“Coming off last year, I was just looking for a good opportunity, and I was just so thankful for the opportunity the Angels provided me just coming out and showing interest in wanting me to be here,” Hendricks said. “I can’t thank them enough for pursuing me in that way and being in this clubhouse. There are a ton of great young players.”
In Chicago, Hendricks posted a 97-81 record, 3.68 ERA, 1,259 strikeouts, 1,580 1/3 innings pitched and a 21.5 WAR in 276 games. Now Hendricks can play in front of his friends and family who supported his career from the beginning.
“It’s awesome, that’s what it’s all about because those are the people that have been with you since Day One,” Hendricks said. “Driving me to practices, and doing all that stuff and now they get the opportunity to sit back and enjoy it up close. I’m super excited for my family.”
Hendricks will also adjust to a new backstop behind the plate. Logan O’Hoppe, the Angels’ starting catcher, was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Angels at the 2022 MLB trade deadline.
O’Hoppe has noticed Hendricks’ preparation and routine before every bullpen session as he gets ready to toe the rubber.
“The cool part about having Kyle here is the experience that he brings, and I speak for a lot of guys here that we have learned a lot from him,” O’Hoppe said. “We have been picking a lot of his brain so far, and anyone that knows him knows he’s one of the best humans in the game. And so, (we are) thankful we have him here.”
A pitcher-and-catcher relationship is one of the most important on the diamond. As a catcher, noticing the rhythm of each pitcher and when they like to throw certain pitches in certain counts can be a learning experience.
“Identifying each pitcher’s strengths and trying to learn those as quickly and efficiently as I can,” O’Hoppe said. “We have been rolling here for about a month now and each day will get better, and now it’s identifying each hitter’s weaknesses and continuing to lean on each pitcher’s strengths on the mound.”
The Angels have a lot of young and talented arms, and Hendricks is excited about what the future holds for the pitching staff as he serves as a vocal leader to the young staff.
“It’s easy when there are a lot of great people with characters in this clubhouse,” Hendricks said. “It’s just baseball, and relationships will grow throughout the season, but we all are strictly just talking about baseball and getting better each day.”
Hendricks has made three spring training appearances, posting a 2-0 record with nine strikeouts and a 2.08 ERA in 8 ⅔ innings.
Angels manager Ron Washington has seen what Hendricks brings to the table, not only the mound but to the clubhouse.
“I have seen his presence, and we know he knows how to pitch,” Washington said. “But his presence shows these young kids how you go about your business, and I think he has done a great job of that, a great job of communicating with these young kids.
“His presence speaks volumes, and that’s what he’s done for us, so far.”