Tink Hence is perhaps the most prized pitching prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
The young right-hander was selected to the Futures Game this year.
That game took place at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Saturday.
Hence even got a chance to pitch in the Futures Game and managed to show off his electric arm and velocity, touching 99 mph with his fastball as he tossed a scoreless inning.
On Twitter, the Cardinals Player Development account posted the video of Hence’s outing, which shows just how electric the right-hander’s arm is and gives Cardinals fans a potential glimpse into the future.
RHP Tink Hence was first out of the NL bullpen at the All-Star Futures Game.
The #STLCards No. 1 pitching prospect tossed one scoreless inning with one strikeout and touched 99 MPH with his fastball. pic.twitter.com/xv2lIvCIAP
— Cardinals Player Development (@CardsPlayerDev) July 9, 2023
With Adam Wainwright retiring at season’s end and both Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty expected to be traded, spots will be opening up in the Cardinals rotation.
Hence is likely a few years away, but he possesses some elite velocity and is one of the most highly-touted prospects in the pipeline for the Cardinals.
St. Louis’ supply of pitching down in the minor leagues has thinned in recent years, but Hence is somebody that the Cardinals are very high on and envision as a key part of their roster in the near future.
The hard-throwing right-hander is currently with Double-A Springfield and quickly rising through the ranks of the team’s farm system.
He has made 12 starts between his time in Springfield and at Single-A Palm Beach.
In those starts, Hence is 2-1 and owns an ERA of 2.70 over 46.2 innings of work.
He has also struck out 51 batters and allowed just 13 walks.
NEXT:
Cardinals Insider Provides Positive Injury Update On Key Pitcher