Liam Hendriks is a professional baseball player from Australia who has had a successful career in Major League Baseball (MLB). He began his career as a starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins in 2011, but struggled with injuries and inconsistency. In 2014, he was designated for assignment and claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Hendriks found success as a relief pitcher with the Blue Jays, posting a 2.92 ERA in 58 appearances in 2015. He was traded to the Oakland Athletics in 2016 and continued to excel as a reliever, earning his first All-Star selection in 2019. In 2020, he was named the American League Reliever of the Year after posting a 1.78 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 25.1 innings.
Hendriks is known for his high velocity fastball and devastating slider, which he uses to strike out batters at a high rate. He has also shown the ability to pitch multiple innings in relief, making him a valuable asset to any bullpen.
Off the field, Hendriks is known for his outgoing personality and love of music. He often plays guitar and sings in the clubhouse, and has even performed the Australian national anthem before games.
Overall, Hendriks has established himself as one of the top relief pitchers in MLB over the course of his career. He has a career ERA of 3.54 and has recorded 40 saves. He signed a four-year, $54 million contract with the Chicago White Sox in 2021, solidifying his status as one of the highest-paid relievers in the league.
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