Liam Hendriks named American League Reliever of the Month for September/October
CHICAGO – Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks has been named the American League Reliever of the Month for September/October, his second honor of the season and fourth career.
Hendriks, 32, was 8-8 in save opportunities with 21 strikeouts and just six hits and zero walks allowed in 13.2 scoreless IP over 13 relief appearances in September/October. He recorded multiple strikeouts in seven games, made seven hitless appearances and did not allow more than one hit in any game. Hendriks recorded a 0.44 WHIP and .128 (6-47) opponents average during the month.
Hendriks went 8-3 with a 2.54 ERA (20 ER/71.0 IP), 38 saves (44 opportunities), 113 strikeouts (14.32 per 9.0 IP), a 0.73 WHIP, .174 (45-258) opponents average and just seven walks issued in 69 appearances this season, his first with the White Sox. He ranks among the AL relief leaders in strikeouts (1st), saves (1st), strikeout-to-walk ratio (1st, 16.14), WHIP (1st), opponents average (1st), opponents on-base percentage (1st, .199), opponents OPS (2nd, .517), strikeouts per 9.0 IP (3rd) and save percentage (5th, 86.4). Hendriks became just the fourth White Sox pitcher to lead the AL in saves, joining Bobby Thigpen (57 in 1990), Rich Gossage (26 in 1975) and Terry Forster (24 in 1974).
He became the first White Sox pitcher with 30-plus saves and 100-plus strikeouts in a season, and the first to strike out 100-plus and walk seven or less in a season. Hendriks joined the Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen in 2017 (41 saves, 109 strikeouts, seven walks) as the only pitchers in major-league history with 30-plus saves, 100-plus strikeouts and seven walks or less.
Hendriks’ 16.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio is the second-best in a season in baseball history (minimum 70.0 IP) behind Dennis Eckersley’s 18.25 mark (73 SO/4 BB) in 1990 with Oakland under manager Tony La Russa. His 14.32 strikeouts per 9.0 IP are the most in a season in White Sox history among pitchers who worked at least 70.0 IP.
Hendriks finished the season on a 15-game scoreless streak since August 29, going 9-9 in save chances with 23 strikeouts and just 13 hits allowed (all singles) and zero walks in 15.2 IP. He also converted his final 12 save opportunities of the season.
He previously won the monthly award in June 2021, and July/August 2020 and June 2019 with Oakland. He is the second White Sox reliever to win the monthly honor following Bobby Jenks in June 2006 and June 2010.