Cole Henry
{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name = Cole Henry
|image =
|team = Washington Nationals
|number = 99
|position = Pitcher
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|7|15}}
|birth_place = Florence, Alabama, U.S.
|bats = Right
|throws = Right
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate = April 13
|debutyear = 2025
|debutteam = Washington Nationals
|statleague = MLB
|statyear = May 2, 2025
|stat1label = Win–loss record
|stat1value = 0–0
|stat2label = Earned run average
|stat2value = 5.63
|stat3label = Strikeouts
|stat3value = 10
|teams =
- Washington Nationals ({{mlby|2025}}–present)
}}
Jeffrey Cole Henry (born July 15, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Career
Henry is from Florence, Alabama, and attended school at Louisiana State University. As a freshman, he was voted onto the 2019 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional All-Tournament team. He was also named one of the Southeastern Conference's Freshman of the Week on April 19, 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.wdsu.com/article/lsu-pitcher-cole-henry-selected-on-day-two-of-mlb-draft-by-washington-nationals/32843942|title=LSU pitcher Cole Henry selected on day two of MLB Draft by Washington Nationals|first=Sharief|last=Ishaq|agency=WDSU 6 News|date=June 11, 2020|access-date=December 25, 2020}} As a sophomore, Henry was the Friday night starter for the LSU Tigers, prior to the cancellation of the 2020 baseball season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That June, Henry was drafted in the second round of the 2020 draft by the Nationals and chose to turn pro.{{cite news|url=https://www.federalbaseball.com/2020/6/19/21292984/mlb-draft-2020-washington-nationals-secnd-round-pick-cole-henry-plans-to-sign-with-nats|agency=Federal Baseball|title=MLB Draft 2020: Washington Nationals' 2nd Round pick Cole Henry plans to sign with Nats...|first=Patrick|last=Reddington|date=June 19, 2020|access-date=December 25, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_c6e45894-ac2e-11ea-99fe-db7b10638fb6.html|work=The Advocate|title=LSU pitcher Cole Henry plans to sign with Washington Nationals after MLB draft selection|first=Wilson|last=Alexander|date=June 11, 2020|access-date=December 25, 2020}} As of December 2020, he was ranked as the Nationals' third-best prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Henry appeared in one game with the Nationals during 2021 spring training. He was assigned to the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks, alongside other top prospects, to begin the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2021-minor-league-team-power-rankings|agency=MLB.com|title=These are the most loaded MiLB rosters|first=Sam|last=Dykstra|date=May 4, 2021|access-date=May 5, 2021}} After missing time during the 2021 season with injuries, Henry was invited to participate in the Arizona Fall League alongside seven other Nationals prospects. Henry pitched as both a starter and a reliever for the Surprise Saguaros and was named to represent the Nationals in the Fall Stars Game, although he was unable to play.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/11/08/cole-henry-nationals-prospect/|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Pitcher Cole Henry's stock is rising in the Nationals' system|first=Jesse|last=Dougherty|date=November 8, 2021|access-date=November 21, 2021}}
Henry made 9 starts in 2022, split between the Double-A Harrisburg Senators and Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. In 31.2 innings pitched, he logged a 1.71 ERA with 34 strikeouts. On August 28, 2022, he underwent season-ending surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome.{{Cite web|title=Nationals' Cole Henry: Getting thoracic outlet surgery|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-cole-henry-getting-thoracic-outlet-surgery/|access-date=May 21, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=August 18, 2022 |language=en}} The procedure involved removing his first rib and a neck muscle.{{Cite web|title=Surgery removed this Nats prospect's rib. It might also give him a career.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/02/15/cole-henry-tos-sugery/|access-date=May 21, 2023|website=washingtonpost.com|language=en}}
On May 18, 2023, Henry returned to action, making a rehab start for the Single-A Fredericksburg Nationals.{{Cite web|title=Nationals' Cole Henry: Successful first rehab start|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-cole-henry-successful-first-rehab-start/|access-date=May 21, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=May 18, 2023 |language=en}}
On November 14, 2023, the Nationals added Henry to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He was optioned to the Double–A Harrisburg Senators to begin the 2024 season.{{Cite web|title=Nats start to shape roster with first round of spring training cuts|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/03/11/nationals-spring-training-roster-moves/|access-date=March 15, 2024|website=washingtonpost.com|language=en}} In 8 games (5 starts) split between Harrisburg and Wilmington, Henry compiled an 0-1 record and 3.31 ERA with 17 strikeouts across {{fraction|16|1|3}} innings pitched.
During spring training in 2025, Henry was transitioned to the bullpen for the first time.{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Chuck |title=Former top pitching prospect Henry impresses in MLB debut |url=https://www.mlb.com/nationals/news/cole-henry-called-up-to-majors-for-first-time-by-nationals |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=MLB.com |publisher=Major League Baseball |date=April 13, 2025 |language=en}} He was optioned to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings to begin the 2025 season.{{Cite web|title=Latest Washington Nationals Camp Cuts Offer Opening for Foreign Prospect|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/nationals/news/latest-washington-nationals-camp-cuts-offer-opening-foreign-prospect|access-date=March 11, 2025|website=si.com|language=en}} On April 13, The Nationals promoted Henry to the big leagues for the first time following an injury to Orlando Ribalta.{{Cite web|title=Nationals Place Orlando Ribalta On 15-Day IL, Promote Cole Henry|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/nationals-to-promote-cole-henry.html|access-date=April 13, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He made his debut the same day, striking out Matt Mervis and Javier Sanoja in a game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park.
Pitching style
A right-handed pitcher, Henry commands a fastball that touches {{convert|97|mph}} and has an above-average changeup.{{cite news|url=https://www.federalbaseball.com/2020/10/25/21532556/washington-nationals-2020-draft-pick-cole-henry-impresses-in-instructional-league|agency=Federal Baseball|title=Washington Nationals' 2020 Draft pick Cole Henry impresses in Instructional League...|first=David|last=Driver|date=October 25, 2020|access-date=December 25, 2020}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{baseballstats|brm=henry-000col|br=h/henryco01}}
{{Washington Nationals roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry, Cole}}
Category:Baseball players from Alabama
Category:Florida Complex League Nationals players
Category:Fredericksburg Nationals players
Category:Harrisburg Senators players
Category:LSU Tigers baseball players
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers
Category:Rochester Red Wings players
Category:Sportspeople from Florence, Alabama
Category:Surprise Saguaros players