SEATTLE — Today, LHP Josh Hendrickson became the 41st Australian born player to make his Major League debut. His long baseball journey that began as a young child playing club ball for the Wembley Magpies here in Western Australia, reaches its ultimate peak. Trotting out of the bullpen to help his new club, the Houston Astros, in a crucial divisional matchup with under a week to go in the season.
In his big league debut against the Seattle Mariners, Hendrickson tossed 2.0 innings of relief, allowing one earned run off two hits with three strikeouts and received a no-decision in the contest.
“We’re so proud of Josh and his journey from a junior W.A. baseball player through the system up to MLB,” said Lachlan Dale, CEO, Baseball WA. “There were so many ups and downs he faced through college and professional baseball with injuries and setbacks. His ability to persevere, sacrifice and stay determined to reach this ultimate goal and opportunity is inspiring. It is so well deserving of ultimate recognition for the work that he’s put into his game and we at Baseball WA are all so proud of him.”
Hendrickson truly grew up in the Baseball WA pipeline, playing for the Wembley Magpies (now UWA Magpies) while continuing his development with the WA Junior State teams, then was a part of the WA performance programs before going to play college ball in the United States.
Following his time at Ranger College, he returned home to make his professional debut for his childhood team, the Perth Heat. He pitched for one season (2019-20) in Heat colours, where he pitched to a 1.93 earned run average with 28 strikeouts in just 18.2 innings pitched before returning stateside to continue climbing the U.S. professional baseball ladder.
Not only did he become the 41st Australian to make his MLB debut, he became the first WA native to accomplish that feat since RHP Warwick Saupold when he debuted for the Detroit Tigers in 2016. Hendrickson joins Saupold alongside Liam Hendricks, Luke Hughes, Peter Moylan, and Mark Ettles as the six Western Australians to play in MLB. Hendrickson also became the 19th Perth Heat alum to debut in the Major Leagues.
Baseball WA once again congratulates Josh on this accomplishment and is looking forward to many more appearances from the southpaw in the show.
Article by Cavan Malayter
Photography Credit: Scott Powick / Team Australia Media