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Liam Hendriks 2023 Player Outlook: One Of Fantasy's Elite Closers
2 years agoChicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks should once again be one of the sport's best closers next season, both in terms of real-life baseball and fantasy baseball. The 33-year-old is coming off yet another strong season in 2022, pitching to a 2.81 ERA and a 2.68 FIP in 57.2 innings for the White Sox. He struck out 85 batters during that span while scattering just 16 walks and seven home runs. Perhaps most crucially, at least from a fantasy standpoint, Hendriks finished with 37 saves, topping the 35-save mark for the second season in a row. Jose Abreu left the White Sox during the offseason, but the team's bullpen remains largely in place, which should benefit Hendriks, his save chances, and his general fantasy upside with the likes of Reynaldo Lopez, Kendall Graveman, Joe Kelly, Garrett Crochet, and Aaron Bummer all on hand to build a bridge to the veteran closer. Hendriks should once again be one of fantasy's best closers in 2023, right up there with the likes of Edwin Diaz and Emmanuel Clase. UPDATE: This outlook was written prior to Hendriks' announcement of his recent Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma diagnosis. It's unclear when he'll pitch. For now, Kendall Graveman looks like one of the top saves options in Chicago.
