Tink Hence

Tink Hence

21-Year-Old PitcherP
St. Louis Cardinals
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
RANKSFrom Preseason
#601
ADP
$Signed a $1.15 million contract with the Cardinals in June of 2020.
Climbs to Double-A
PSt. Louis Cardinals  AA
July 1, 2023
Hence was promoted to Double-A Springfield on Saturday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
The 20-year-old righty missed a month early in the year with chest/oblique tightness, but he still made 11 starts with High-A Peoria, logging a 2.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 46:12 K:BB in 41.2 innings. The last-place Cardinals haven't gotten much consistent production from their rotation members, outside of Jordan Montgomery, but it would still be a stretch for Hence to climb to the big leagues this season. If he stays healthy, he should figure prominently into the 2024 rotation mix.
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Tink Hence See More
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Looking to debut in 2024
PSt. Louis Cardinals  AA
April 15, 2024
Hence said he's "putting [it] on his shoulders" that he's going to make his MLB debut this season, reports John Denton of MLB.com.
ANALYSIS
The 21-year-old is one of the Cardinals' top prospects, though his ascent through the minors has been slowed a bit with the organization wanting him to add some muscle to his now 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame. Hence finished last season at Double-A Springfield and had a 5.47 ERA across 54.1 innings, and he's back with the affiliate to begin 2024. The right-hander has pitched well through two starts with one earned run allowed and an 11:1 K:BB. Hence could push to make his MLB debut late in the season, especially if the Cardinals aren't in playoff contention.
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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
Returns from minor-league IL
PSt. Louis Cardinals  AA
May 11, 2023
Hence (chest) was activated from the minor-league injured list Thursday at High-A Peoria.
ANALYSIS
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Nearing return at High-A
PSt. Louis Cardinals  AA
Chest
May 9, 2023
Hence (chest) is expected to return to the rotation at High-A Peoria on Friday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
ANALYSIS
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Dealing with minor injury
PSt. Louis Cardinals  AA
Chest
April 30, 2023
Hence, who has been on the 7-day injured list at High-A Peoria, avoided serious injury after being bothered by chest tightness and could be activated soon, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Placed on minor-league IL
PSt. Louis Cardinals  AA
Undisclosed
April 18, 2023
Hence (undisclosed) was placed on the 7-day injured list Tuesday at High-A Peoria.
ANALYSIS
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Exits start with trainers
PSt. Louis Cardinals  AA
Undisclosed
April 13, 2023
Hence (undisclosed) exited his start at High-A Peoria with trainers Thursday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
ANALYSIS
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