Former Watson Chapel star Tink Hence was named the Pitcher Of The Year in the just completed Texas League season. Hence was only the second Springfield player to win the award following Dakota Hudson who won in 2017. Hence also won the Florida State League POY in 2022. Hence is the #1 pitching prospect in the Cardinals organization and will be battling for a rotation spot with the parent club when Spring Training opens in February. Hence made 20 starts for Springfield in 2024 setting a career high in strikeouts with 107 over 79 innings. He had seven quality starts with at least six strikeouts in eight starts. He was drafted 63rd overall in the 2020 draft.
