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Tigers hire 2016 World Series champion as special assistant
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- Tigers hire 2016 World Series champion as special assistant
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The Detroit Tigers added championship experience to their organization on Wednesday by hiring former MLB pitcher Kyle Hendricks as a special assistant.
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The organization announced the move as part of its continued effort to strengthen the Tigers' pitching development throughout the entire system. Hendricks, a 2016 World Series champion with the Chicago Cubs , takes an active, hands-on role working with pitchers across multiple levels while providing insight shaped by his long and successful major league career.
Hendricks earned a reputation as one of baseball's most cerebral pitchers during his time in the majors. He played an important role in the Cubs' 2016 championship season, leading the National League with a 2.13 ERA. Rather than relying on overpowering velocity, he built his success on command, preparation, sequencing, and execution, with much of that effectiveness driven by a lethal changeup. Those traits are precisely what the club hopes he can help reinforce within the pitching program.
The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen reported the hiring in an article published on the website and noted the connection between the veteran and Detroit's leadership group.
"The Detroit Tigers have hired former MLB pitcher Kyle Hendricks as a special assistant, league sources told The Athletic. Hendricks has a relationship with Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris and general manager Jeff Greenberg dating back to their time together in the Chicago Cubs organization. Hendricks is expected to focus on pitching development with the Tigers."
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That familiarity gives the move added context. Harris and Greenberg both spent time with the Cubs during an era when Hendricks became one of the organization's most trusted pitchers. Their shared background should help create a clear line of communication as Hendricks transitions into his new role with Detroit.
After a rough start to the season for the Tigers , Hendricks will not serve as a traditional on-field coach but will focus on preparation, game planning, pitch usage, and in-game adjustments. His championship experience adds a valuable, stabilizing presence to Detroit's pitching staff.
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