Mark Hendrickson

2013

There was no outlook written for Mark Hendrickson.

2011

Hendrickson had another ineffective season in long relief. He hasn't had a WHIP under 1.390 since his rookie year in 2002. Turning 37 in June, his days as a starter are now well in the past and it's unlikely that he'll get a high-leverage relief opportunity regardless of where he's pitching in 2011. At the very least, Hendrickson should get an opportunity to handle a LOOGY role (27:9 K:BB in 30 IP against left-handed hitters) and at a discounted price after his .313 BAA and 1.553 WHIP have likely scared a few teams away.

2010

Hendrickson was ineffective in the rotation, but he pulled his weight out of the bullpen for Baltimore (3.44 ERA, 37:14 K:BB ratio). It's likely he will fill a similar role for a team in 2010, shuttling between the back end of a rotation and long relief as needed. However, there is little upside for a 35-year-old with a career 5.00 ERA, unless a permanent shift to bullpen work leads him to similar success as Darren Oliver.

2009

His 2008 ended up looking an awful lot like his 2007, only with more walks, a trend that isn't going to earn him big bucks from anyone. As a veteran lefty he'll keep getting chances but he's never had an especially pronounced platoon split, so a LOOGY role seems as unlikely as another starting gig. Still, the Orioles will give him a chance at a rotation spot during spring training after signing him in December.

2008

Hendrickson had a disappointing season for the Dodgers in 2007, going 4-8 with a 5.21 ERA. Despite being a lofty 6-9, Hendrickson's fastball rarely touches 90 mph, and his secondary stuff is nothing special. On a more positive note, Hendrickson managed to lower his walk rate to a career-best 2.1 BB/9, while he also seemed to find himself as a reliever after losing his spot in the rotation, posting a 3.69 ERA and 41:10 K:BB in 46.1 innings out of the bullpen. Hendrickson made close to $3 million in 2007 and the Dodgers didn't risk taking him to arbitration. He'll likely be used as a long reliever or spot starter wherever he lands.

2007

It's hard to argue with the 6-foot-9 Hendrickson's decision to leave the NBA for baseball as he earned close to $2 million last year, but he's simply not a good pitcher. Being left-handed might keep him around a few more years, but a guy with a career 4.98 ERA and no starting job in 2007 should be avoided.

2006

You're just never going to be a good major league pitcher if you get 30 starts a year from age 29 to 31 and never post an ERA better than 4.80 or strike out more than five batters per nine innings. That's true even if he started late due to an NBA career. He's not a lock to keep his job as a major league rotation pitcher this season.

2005

Hendrickson improved his gopheritis a little in 2004 by allowing one homer every 8.7 IP, as opposed to one every 6.6 IP in 2003. He still can't miss bats, however, striking out just four for every nine innings. He'll compete for a spot in the back of Tampa Bay's rotation, but even in deep AL-only leagues there are better fifth starter options.

2004

That didn't go well. Heck, even the Tigers beat Hendrickson in 2003. Righties slugged .544 off him for the year. He could start the year as Tampa Bay's fifth starter but he'll go undrafted in most leagues.

2003

An intriguing player for 2003 following a solid final two months in Toronto after his promotion from Triple-A. Granted, three of four starts came against Tampa Bay and Baltimore (twice), but he's going to enter spring training as one of Toronto's top four starters. A converted basketball player, he hasn't been pitching long. Don't be afraid to go the extra buck on draft day if he shows progress in spring.