Tink Hence
{{Short description|American baseball player (born 2002)}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name = Tink Hence
|image =
|team = St. Louis Cardinals
|number = 30
|position = Pitcher
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2002|8|6}}
|birth_place = Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S.
|bats = Right
|throws = Right
|debutleague = MLB
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|statleague = MLB
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Markevian "Tink" Hence (born August 6, 2002) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Career
Hence attended Watson Chapel High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas where he played baseball.{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Erick |date=2020-06-10 |title=3 teens in state on radar of MLB |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/jun/10/3-teens-in-state-on-radar-of-mlb/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Arkansas Democrat Gazette |language=en}} During his senior year in 2020, he pitched three innings before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Erick |date=2020-05-08 |title=Hence let pitching speak out |url=https://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2020/may/08/hence-let-pitching-speak-out-20200508/?f=latest |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Whole Hog Sports |language=en}} He was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 63rd overall selection of the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-16 |title=Pine Bluff native drafted by St. Louis Cardinals |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/jun/16/pine-bluff-native-drafted-by-st-louis-cardinals/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Arkansas Democrat Gazette |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Deckelbaum |first=Kyle |date=2020-06-11 |title=Watson Chapel High School's Tink Hence drafted by Cardinals |url=https://katv.com/sports/content/watson-chapel-high-schools-tink-hence-drafted-by-cardinals |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=KATV |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-06-13 |title=Watson Chapel’s Tink Hence Drafted No. 63 Overall by St. Louis Cardinals |url=https://www.fox16.com/sports/local-sports/watson-chapels-tink-hence-drafted-no-63-overall-by-st-louis-cardinals/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=KLRT - FOX16.com |language=en-US}} He signed for $1.12 million, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at the University of Arkansas.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Matt |date=2020-06-25 |title=Arkansas pitcher signee Tink Hence agrees to terms with Cardinals |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/jun/25/arkansas-pitcher-signee-tink-hence-agrees-terms-ca/?bcsubid=ed36c866-221a-48a4-b079-521f49104bb0&pbdialog=reg-wall-login-created-ao |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Arkansas Democrat Gazette |language=en}}
Hence did not play after signing with the Cardinals due to the cancellation of the minor league season.{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Erick |date=2020-07-13 |title=Hence adjusts to new reality |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/jul/13/hence-adjusts-to-new-reality/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Arkansas Democrat Gazette |language=en}} He made his professional debut in 2021 with the Florida Complex League Cardinals, pitching a total of eight innings for the season while giving up eight earned runs and three walks while striking out 14.{{Cite web |last=Srebnik |first=Bailey |date=2022-06-10 |title=2022 Dynasty Baseball: Tink Hence Has Ace Upside |url=https://fantasysixpack.net/tink-hence-has-ace-upside/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Fantasy Six Pack - F6P |language=en-US}} He opened the 2022 season in extended spring training before he was assigned to the Palm Beach Cardinals in mid-May.{{cite web |last=Karraker |first=Patrick |date=June 10, 2022 |title=Cardinals minor league report: Tink Hence making a strong early impression |url=https://www.ballysports.com/midwest/news/st-louis-cardinals-minor-league-report-tink-hence-strong-impression-palm-beach |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406151228/https://www.ballysports.com/midwest/news/st-louis-cardinals-minor-league-report-tink-hence-strong-impression-palm-beach |archive-date=2023-04-06 |website=Bally Sports}} On June 15, he pitched three innings of a combined no-hitter versus the Clearwater Threshers.{{Cite web |last=Heneghan |first=Kelsie |date=2022-06-15 |title=Trio spins Palm Beach's first no-hitter since 2012 |url=https://www.milb.com/fredericksburg/news/palm-beach-cardinals-throw-no-hitter |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=MiLB.com |language=en}} Over 16 starts with Palm Beach, Hence went 0–1 with a 1.38 ERA, 81 strikeouts and 15 walks over {{fraction|52|1|3}} innings.{{Cite web |title=Tink Hence Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.milb.com/player/tink-hence-693311 |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=MiLB.com |language=en}} He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Salt River Rafters after the season.{{Cite web |last=Callis |first=Jim |last2=Mayo |first2=Jonathan |last3=Dykstra |first3=Sam |date=2022-09-16 |title=The Arizona Fall League rosters are here -- and they're loaded |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/arizona-fall-league-rosters-2022 |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=MLB.com |language=en-US}} To begin the 2023 season, Hence was assigned to the Peoria Chiefs of the High-A Midwest League.{{Cite web |last=Dykstra |first=Sam |date=2023-04-05 |title=Where the Cardinals' Top 30 prospects are starting season |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/where-cardinals-top-prospects-are-starting-2023-season |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=MLB.com |language=en-US}} He was selected to represent the Cardinals (alongside Victor Scott II) at the 2023 All-Star Futures Game.{{Cite web |last=Guerrero |first=Daniel |date=2023-06-26 |title=Prospects Tink Hence and Victor Scott II to represent Cardinals in All-Star Futures Game |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/professional/mlb/cardinals/minor-leagues/prospects-tink-hence-and-victor-scott-ii-to-represent-cardinals-in-all-star-futures-game/article_479489d8-1477-11ee-a224-b30e8ce08804.html |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}} In early July, he was promoted to the Springfield Cardinals of the Double-A Texas League.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-01 |title=Cardinals' Tink Hence: Climbs to Double-A |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-tink-hence-climbs-to-double-a/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en |agency=RotoWire}} Over 23 starts between the two teams, Hence went 4–6 with a 4.31 ERA and 99 strikeouts over 96 innings.{{Cite web |last=Guerrero |first=Daniel |date=2023-09-23 |title=Cardinals prospect Tink Hence hit for three runs in Springfield playoff loss: Minor League Report |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/professional/mlb/cardinals/cardinals-prospect-tink-hence-hit-for-three-runs-in-springfield-playoff-loss-minor-league-report/article_48b9a528-59e1-11ee-9ee4-6b23d1ae5bad.html |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}}
Hence returned to Springfield to open the 2024 season.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-04 |title=Springfield announces 2024 Opening Day roster |url=https://www.milb.com/app-firstpitch/springfield/news/springfield-announces-2024-opening-day-roster |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=MiLB.com |language=en}} He was selected to his second consecutive All-Star Futures Game alongside Quinn Mathews.{{Cite web |last=Guerrero |first=Daniel |date=2024-07-02 |title=Prospects Tink Hence, Quinn Mathews to represent Cardinals in All-Star Futures Game |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/professional/mlb/cardinals/minor-league/prospects-tink-hence-quinn-mathews-to-represent-cardinals-in-all-star-futures-game/article_70c93a1e-3885-11ef-a072-6f3c4d07ef14.html |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}} In 20 starts for Springfield, he compiled a 4–3 record and 2.71 ERA with 109 strikeouts across {{fraction|79|2|3}} innings pitched. Following the season, the Cardinals added Hence to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=2024-11-19 |title=Cardinals Add Four Players To 40-Man Roster, Outright Drew Rom |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/cardinals-add-tink-hence-tekoah-roby-40-man-outright-drew-rom.html |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}
Hence was optioned to Double-A Springfield to begin the 2025 season.{{Cite web|title=Cardinals News: Top prospect optioned, Sonny Gray adjustments, David Freese impact|url=https://redbirdrants.com/cardinals-news-top-prospect-optioned-sonny-gray-adjustments-david-freese-impact|access-date=March 10, 2025|website=redbirdrants.com|language=en}} On March 28, 2025, Hence was placed on the minor league 60-day injured list after suffering a right rib cage strain.{{Cite web|title=Cardinals’ Prospect Tink Hence Goes On Minor League 60-Day IL|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/cardinals-prospect-tink-hence-goes-on-minor-league-60-day-il.html|access-date=April 24, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}
Personal life
Two of Hence's older brothers, Braelin and Blake, played college baseball at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Matt |date=2018-04-04 |title=Pine Bluff pitcher commits to Razorbacks |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/apr/04/pitcher-commits-razorbacks/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Arkansas Democrat Gazette |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{baseballstats|brm=hence-000mar}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hence, Tink}}
Category:Minor league baseball players
Category:Baseball players from Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Category:Florida Complex League Cardinals players
Category:Palm Beach Cardinals players