Career Timeline of Liam Hendriks: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Liam Hendriks, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Liam Hendriks is an Australian professional baseball pitcher and a free agent, known for his MLB career with teams like the Twins, Royals, Blue Jays, Athletics, White Sox, and Red Sox. A three-time All-Star, he earned the American League's Reliever of the Year award in both 2020 and 2021. Most recently, Hendriks received the AL MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award for the 2023 season, marking a significant achievement in his career.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2007: Twins Organization Debut

In 2007, Liam Hendriks debuted in the Twins organization pitching for the Gulf Coast League Twins and led the team in strikeouts with 52. He was also named as a Twins Top 50 prospect.

2008: Perth Heat, Claxton Shield series

In 2008, Liam Hendriks pitched for Perth Heat in their successful Australian Claxton Shield series, going 3–0 with a 1.90 ERA and 25 strikeouts. He was named Rookie of the Year for that season.

2008: Claxton Shield and Olympic Qualification Tournament

In 2008, Liam Hendriks pitched for the Perth Heat in the Claxton Shield and was added to the Australian national team for the Final Olympic Qualification Tournament, pitching five innings, allowing one unearned run, and striking out six.

2009: Made the 2009 World Baseball Classic roster

In 2009, Liam Hendriks made the World Baseball Classic roster, becoming the youngest Australian player in the Classic.

2009: Single-A and Rookie-Level Play

In 2009, Liam Hendriks played for the Single-A Beloit Snappers of the Midwest League and the Rookie-Level Elizabethton Twins of the Appalachian League, with a combined record of 5–5 and a 3.55 ERA.

2009: World Baseball Classic Roster

In 2009, despite undergoing back surgery that prevented him from playing in the minors in 2008, Liam Hendriks made the 2009 World Baseball Classic roster as the youngest Australian player in the Classic.

September 2011: Called up to Minnesota Twins

On September 5, 2011, Liam Hendriks was called up to the Minnesota Twins from Triple-A Rochester, finishing the season with an 0–2 record.

September 2012: First Major League Victory

On September 19, 2012, Liam Hendriks earned his first Major League victory in a 6–4 win against the Cleveland Indians.

December 2013: Claimed off Waivers by Chicago Cubs

On December 13, 2013, Liam Hendriks was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.

December 2013: Designated for Assignment

On December 5, 2013, Liam Hendriks was designated for assignment by the Twins after the signing of pitcher Phil Hughes.

February 2014: Claimed off Waivers by Baltimore Orioles

On February 21, 2014, Liam Hendriks was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays after previously being claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on December 23, 2013. He was then designated for assignment by the Orioles on February 19, 2014.

March 2014: Optioned to Triple-A Buffalo Bisons

On March 10, 2014, Liam Hendriks was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

May 2014: Called up to the Majors

On May 23, 2014, Liam Hendriks was called up to the Majors after compiling a 5–0 record with a 1.46 ERA through nine games (seven starts) with the Buffalo Bisons. He made his Blue Jays debut that day.

June 2014: Optioned Back to Triple-A Buffalo

In June 2014, Liam Hendriks was optioned back to Triple-A Buffalo after two starts for the Blue Jays. He was later called up on June 20 to start against the Cincinnati Reds, but was sent back down to Buffalo the following day.

July 2014: Traded to Kansas City Royals

On July 28, 2014, Liam Hendriks, along with Erik Kratz, was traded to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Danny Valencia.

October 2014: Traded Back to Toronto Blue Jays

On October 30, 2014, Liam Hendriks was traded back to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Santiago Nessy.

October 2015: ALCS Record

On October 20, 2015, Liam Hendriks broke an 85-year-old record in Game Four of the 2015 American League Championship Series, pitching 4 1⁄3 scoreless innings and finishing with 13 outs from 12 batters faced.

November 2015: Traded to Oakland Athletics

On November 20, 2015, Liam Hendriks was traded to the Oakland Athletics for Jesse Chavez.

2016: 2016 Season with the Athletics

Liam Hendriks finished the 2016 season with a 3.76 ERA and 0-4 record, pitching 64+2⁄3 innings in 53 appearances for the Oakland Athletics.

February 2017: Selected for the 2017 World Baseball Classic

On February 9, 2017, Liam Hendriks was selected for the 2017 World Baseball Classic but opted not to participate in the first round.

2017: 2017 Season with the Athletics

In 2017, Liam Hendriks pitched 64 innings in 70 appearances with a 4–2 record and 4.22 ERA for the Oakland Athletics.

2017: Roberto Clemente Award Nomination

In 2017, Liam Hendriks was the Oakland Athletics' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for his work with Big League Impact and Striking Out Poverty in their efforts to end poverty in the Dominican Republic.

June 2018: Designated for Assignment

Liam Hendriks was designated for assignment on June 25, 2018, and sent outright to Triple-A Nashville.

September 2018: Called up to Major League Club

Liam Hendriks was called up to the major league club on September 1, 2018.

2019: All-Star Game Selection and Best Season

In 2019, Liam Hendriks took over as the Athletics' closer, made his first career All-Star Game appearance and earned All-MLB Second team honors, finishing with a record of 4-4, an ERA of 1.80, and 25 saves.

2019: All-Star selection

In 2019, Liam Hendriks was selected as an All-Star for the first time.

2019: Roberto Clemente Award Nomination

In 2019, Liam Hendriks was the Oakland Athletics' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for his work with Big League Impact and Striking Out Poverty in their efforts to end poverty in the Dominican Republic.

2020: Continued Dominance

In 2020, Liam Hendriks continued his dominance from 2019, finishing with a 3-1 record and an ERA of 1.78. He recorded 14 saves and 37 strikeouts.

2020: American League Reliever of the Year

In 2020, Liam Hendriks was named the American League's Reliever of the Year.

January 2021: Signed with Chicago White Sox

On January 11, 2021, Liam Hendriks signed a three-year, $54 million deal with the Chicago White Sox, with a club option for a fourth year.

August 2021: Winning Pitcher in Field of Dreams Game

On August 12, 2021, Liam Hendriks was the first winning pitcher in Iowa during the Field of Dreams game, despite blowing a save opportunity. He allowed four runs, but the White Sox won 9-8 due to a walk-off home run. He was awarded the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award for the second year in a row.

2021: All-Star selection

In 2021, Liam Hendriks was selected as an All-Star for the second time.

2021: Earned the save in the 2021 All-Star Game

Liam Hendriks earned the save in the 2021 All-Star Game at Coors Field in Denver, won 5-2 by the American League. Entering the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, Hendriks gave up two hits and struck out one, allowing no runs, all while he was being mic'd up by Fox, who were broadcasting the game.

2022: 2022 Season Performance

In 2022, Liam Hendriks struggled to start the season but improved as it progressed. He was placed on the IL with a right forearm strain on June 14, returned on July 4, and made his third All-Star game appearance. Hendriks had a 4–4 record in 58 games with an ERA of 2.81.