Position: C
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 200 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 02/08/1999
College: San Diego State University
How Acquired: Draft 7th round, 193rd Overall, 2021
Bonus: $177,500
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2027
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Pirates drafted Hendrie from the same college as their previous pick in 2021, Mike Jarvis. Unlike Jarvis, Hendrie was a junior. The Cubs drafted him out of junior college in 2019 and he didn’t sign. He went to San Diego State in 2020 and took over the regular catching job. He’s a converted outfielder with good athleticism who’s turning out well defensively. His arm is above average. He had a strong junior year offensively, batting 379/464/633 with nine home runs. He walked just a little less than he struck out. He also stole eight bases without getting caught. Baseball America rated him 270th among draft prospects. The Pirates signed Hendrie for less than the slot amount of $244,900.
2021-22
After signing, Hendrie went to the FCL and hit decently, with good plate discipline. In 2022, he spent the season with Bradenton as their primary catcher. He struggled at the plate through the first half of the season, but put up an OPS of .707 and .741 in July and August, respectively, and .974 in six September games. His final line was a little above league average, but the strikeout rate wasn’t good. He played well defensively and threw out 35% of base stealers.
2023-24
Hendrie spent 2023-24 with assignments in the mid-levels of the system that depended on what other catchers were available. He started 2023 back in Bradenton, but moved up to Greensboro after 17 games. With Abrahan Gutierrez hampered by injuries, Hendrie was the most frequent catcher for the Hoppers. He didn’t have a good season at the plate, putting up a .619 OPS for Bradenton and .665 for Greensboro. That included strikeouts in over a third of his ABs. Hendrie threw out 26% of base stealers on the season.
In 2024, Hendrie spent roughly the first half of the season switching between Altoona and the development list. He got into 20 games with the Curve and hit passably, with a .669 OPS. He threw out only three of 21 base stealers. The Pirates sent him to Greensboro in late June, then in early August he went on the injured list and was out the rest of the year. Hendrie struggled at the plate in 15 games with the Hoppers. He didn’t catch at all with them, playing only in right field.
Stats
Transactions
June 4, 2020: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round, 312th overall pick.
July 12, 2021: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 7th round, 193rd overall pick; signed on July 16.