OAKLAND -- Chicago Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks takes the mound Sunday against the Oakland Athletics in his first start since his second career shutout (first this season) last Monday night against the Miami Marlins. It lowered his ERA to 2.22 -- or 1.5 runs lower than at this time last season.

His numbers would only get worse in August and September of 2015, but just before the end of the season Hendricks found some answers within his mechanics. He carried them over to this season where he's become an emerging star. If his numbers hold he'll be baseball's ERA leader in less than two weeks as injured starter Clayton Kershaw falls out of qualifying for the ERA title because of missed time.

Hendricks has often discussed the work he's put in to take the next step, but what of his lifestyle now that he's becoming a name? He's been the quintessential fly under the radar guy but that's starting to change.

So what's this been like for you? Let's start with interview requests. Are they increasing?

Kyle Hendricks: "Yeah, it's a little crazy. It comes with the territory of putting up numbers I guess. But at the end of the day that's all it is, numbers. You need to take it as all outside stuff. You need to stay within yourself as much as you can. As long as you get your work in the rest is OK."

I think more than one person has asked me when your ESPN Body issue is coming out or when your agent will ask for multi-year, million dollar demands?

KH: (laughing) I'm not quite there yet. I'm not sure I'll ever be for the body issue. My personality is not like that. I just enjoy pitching and playing baseball. I enjoy my teammates. All this outside stuff is great but you have to make sure you keep your head on your shoulders."

So if someone says you're an emerging star do you feel it or not really?

KH: "You try not to put words or labels to it or anything like that. Just simple thoughts. I mean you realize what's happening on the outside but that makes it even more important to stay grounded."

What about autographs? Are you hounded more now?

KH: "Not too much of a change there. They're always looking for autographs up here. The change you see there is coming up from the minor leagues. It's a new world up here."

Are you getting recognized more in Chicago?

KH: "A little bit more but I'm pretty good at flying under the radar. My personality and my look is pretty normal I guess you might say. I'm not one of these 6-foot-6 guys like Lackey or Lester. I can walk around pretty easy and not get recognized but it happens. We have some giants on this team. I'm more normal sized I guess."

What about family? More requests for stuff?

KH: "There's a little more. Family is requesting more but that's all good. Anything within the family you have to take care of. A little more asking for tickets. Everyone wants to come to Chicago in the summer. Why not, right?"

Are you paying for less meals in Chicago? Do restaurants pick up the tab because it's "Kyle Hendricks?"

KH: "Not really but you'll go out and get taken care of sometimes. Chicago is a special place. They'll take care of you but no fans are buying me dinner or anything. Not that I want them to."

So overall how is this year different than last year besides, of course, the success you're having on the field?

KH: "My confidence is high. I'm a lot happier than last year. When you're going through struggles like last year it's hard to see the good things. You have to learn from those hard times and enjoy the good stuff because you can lose it in a moment in this game. I know that so I'm trying to keep it the same as much as possible."