Tink Hence has been patient as he has moved up the ladder in the St. Louis Cardinal organization. On Sunday, Hence got his first chance to pitch to major league hitters with two strong innings in a Redbird spring training game against the Astros. Hence, a former star pitcher at Watson Chapel, spent last season with the Cardinals A ball team in Peoria before being promoted to AA in Springfield, Missouri. At 6’1 and 195 lbs, Hence was drafted with selected by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2020 draft.
On Sunday, Hence entered the game in the top of the 7th and quickly struck out one of the Astros top prospects John Garcia. His day ended with a line of two innings, no runs, one hit allowed. He did walk three batters but got out of jam in the 8th with two K’s and got Garcia again with a lineout back to the box that he caught to put out the fire. The Cardinals won the game 3-0 with Hence being credited with a hold. Hence will have a shot to prove himself over the next month to try and make the big club for opening day. Hence is currently listed as the Cardinals #3 prospect.
