Tink Hence
22-Year-Old
Day-To-Day
Injury Undisclosed
2024 Stats
W-L
0-0
ERA
0.00
WHIP
0.00
K
0
SV
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Hence's dynasty value peaked either last offseason after the Arizona Fall League or early in 2023 when he was having success (2.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 20.6 K-BB%) across 11 starts as a 20-year-old at High-A. The wiry 6-foot-1 righty got hit hard in 12 starts at Double-A, posting a 5.47 ERA, 4.98 FIP and 1.51 WHIP in 54.1 innings. According to Baseball America, Hence's famed plus curveball and backed up significantly and was a fringe-average offering at Double-A. Additionally, his fastball command was worse and he walked 9.2 percent of batters after never walking more than 7.7 percent at a prior stop. Given his slight frame, it was encouraging to see Hence throw a career-high 96 innings. He retained mid-90s fastball velocity while improving his above-average changeup, and he'll need to show improved results in a return to Double-A to avoid a continued tumble down prospect lists. Read Past Outlooks
Suffers injury Wednesday
Hence was lifted after just 1.1 innings in his start Wednesday with Double-A Springfield due to an apparent injury, John Denton of MLB.com reports. He gave up one hit and one walk and struck out one batter before departing.
ANALYSIS
In what was his final start of the regular season, Hence lasted just 29 pitches and was pulled after his control suddenly betrayed him. According to Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Hence walked the final batter he faced on four pitches and threw four of his final six pitches of the night in the dirt, perhaps hinting at some sort of arm injury. Springfield will begin its postseason Tuesday, but it's unclear if Hence will be available following his early exit. He was brilliant when healthy for Springfield during the regular season, finishing with a 2.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 109:26 K:BB in 79.2 innings.
In what was his final start of the regular season, Hence lasted just 29 pitches and was pulled after his control suddenly betrayed him. According to Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Hence walked the final batter he faced on four pitches and threw four of his final six pitches of the night in the dirt, perhaps hinting at some sort of arm injury. Springfield will begin its postseason Tuesday, but it's unclear if Hence will be available following his early exit. He was brilliant when healthy for Springfield during the regular season, finishing with a 2.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 109:26 K:BB in 79.2 innings.
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2023 Fantasy Outlook
Hence has the look of a future top-five pitching prospect in the game, but it's still early. The undersized (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) righty was nearly unhittable in 16 starts at Single-A, logging a 1.38 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 33.8 K-BB% in 52.1 innings. He also added 8.1 innings in the Arizona Fall League, where he was the best pitching prospect. His mid-90s fastball has excellent movement and he may not be done adding velocity. Hence has a smooth and athletic delivery, and considering he turned 20 in August, it's possible he is just scratching the surface of his potential. His plus curveball is his best secondary, and his slider and changeup are already at least average, so he has a full starter's pitch mix. Pitching prospects often break our hearts, so we should be aware that while Hence is clearly an ascending dynasty asset, one serious arm injury would send him back outside the top 100.
More Fantasy News
Strikes out four in return
Hence (shoulder/chest) allowed one hit and struck out four over 1.2 innings in Double-A Springfield's game Saturday versus Corpus Christi.
ANALYSIS
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Throws side session
Hence (undisclosed) threw a side session last weekend, but didn't attend the All-Star Futures Game while he instead opted to focus on getting healthy and returning to action for Double-A Springfield, KY3 Springfield reports.
ANALYSIS
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Exits Double-A start as precaution
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Thursday that Hence exited his start with Double-A Springfield on Wednesday after just two innings due to cramps, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
ANALYSIS
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Climbs to Double-A
Hence was promoted to Double-A Springfield on Saturday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Returns from minor-league IL
Hence (chest) was activated from the minor-league injured list Thursday at High-A Peoria.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Should join 40-man roster
Hence, who was dealing with an undisclosed injury at the end of the season, is expected to be added to the Cardinals' 40-man roster in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, per Katie Woo of The Athletic.
ANALYSIS
The right-hander is one of St. Louis' top prospects, so it would be a major surprise if the organization leaves him unprotected for the Rule 5 Draft. Hence posted a 2.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 109:26 K:BB across 79.2 innings with Double-A Springfield in 2024, and he could make his MLB debut at some point next year.
The right-hander is one of St. Louis' top prospects, so it would be a major surprise if the organization leaves him unprotected for the Rule 5 Draft. Hence posted a 2.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 109:26 K:BB across 79.2 innings with Double-A Springfield in 2024, and he could make his MLB debut at some point next year.