When Cincinnati Reds reliever Ryan Hendrix made his MLB debut this season against the St. Louis Cardinals, the first four pitches he threw to Cardinals outfielder Justin Williams were his 85 mph slider.
Hendrix’s first slider landed just outside the strike zone, and Williams swung and missed at the next three. That slider has always been the pitch Hendrix has turned to in key situations out of the bullpen.
“I’ve thrown that same grip, same slider my whole life,” Hendrix said. “I haven’t changed one bit.”
In his first five MLB games, Hendrix hasn’t allowed a hit and has already struck out five batters.