2 months agoAccording to Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Dispatch, St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect
Tink Hence (back/lat) will enter spring training without any lingering injuries. Last season, the starting pitcher flashed upside at times but was limited by lingering back and lat injuries. The 22-year-old was able to throw just 79 2/3 innings at Double-A as he missed more than a month of play due to these injuries. However, the No. 2 ranked prospect in the system is expected to be a full-go for spring training. Across these innings, the right-hander posted a strong 2.71 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP. He struck out 109 batters and served up just 26 free passes. This was a significant improvement compared to the 5.47 ERA and the 1.51 WHIP he held at Double-A the previous season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training, as Hence could push for an early season debut if he can stay healthy.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Daniel Guerrero
4 months agoIn moves made to protect some of their better young prospects from the upcoming Rule 5 draft, the St. Louis Cardinals added right-handers
Tink Hence,
Tekoah Roby and
Matt Svanson and outfielder
Matt Koperniak to their 40-man roster on Tuesday. Hence is the team's most decorated prospect, with MLB Pipeline listing him as their No. 2 prospect. Injuries have been a problem for the 22-year-old, but when healthy, he has displayed promising upside on the mound. The former second-round pick in 2020 had a nice 2.71 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 109 strikeouts and only 26 walks in 79 2/3 innings over 20 starts for Double-A Springfield in 2024. Roby checks in as St. Louis' No. 6 prospect, while Svanson and Koperniak aren't listed among the team's top-30 prospects. All four of the young players cannot be claimed in the Rule 5 draft now by other organizations.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Cardinals
7 months agoSt. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect
Tink Hence struck out six batters and generated 15 whiffs in his 3 2/3 innings on Wednesday for Double-A Springfield. The Cardinals' No. 2 prospect allowed one run on three hits with two walks in his brief outing. Hence is 4-3 this season with Springfield with a 2.66 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. The 22-year-old has recorded 100 strikeouts in 74 1/3 innings. Hence has the look of a future big-league ace and has produced a very good season at Double-A this year. He could be looking at a big-league debut at some point next season.
--Brian Buckey - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
7 months agoSt. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect
Tink Hence tossed four more shutout innings for Double-A Springfield on Wednesday. Hence, the club's top pitching prospect went four innings and allowed three hits with a pair of walks and two strikeouts. With his performance, it marks the third straight start that he has not allowed a run. Hence continues to be limited with innings, as he has been recovering from being sidelined with general soreness, but has been impressive with a 2.67 ERA to go along with 94 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings over 17 starts. Hence, 22, continues to take steps forward for the Cardinals, but he will need to build up more stamina to take to be a starting pitcher long term. With his impressive arsenal that includes a fastball that can reach 99 MPH, Hence has all the makings of a strong starting pitcher, but he will need to show he has the stamina to continue in that role versus being moved to the bullpen long term.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Milb.com
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