Cardinals Make Encouraging Announcement on No. 3 Prospect

Hence, who was optioned to Triple-A Memphis to begin his 2025 campaign, was quickly placed on the 60-day injured list on March 28 after sustaining a right rib strain.  

The 63rd overall pick by the Cardinals in the 2020 MLB Draft, Hence was impressive last season for Double-A Springfield. In 20 starts, he went 4-3 with a 2.71 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. He also recorded 109 strikeouts to go with 26 walks in 79 and two-thirds innings. 

Despite last year's numbers, however, the Arkansas native has faced durability questions, causing him to fall out of MLB.com's Top 100 Prospect rankings.  

"Hence really needed a healthy 2025. He still hasn't thrown more than 96 innings in a season since the Cardinals took him 63rd overall in 2020, and lat/chest/shoulder issues held him to 79 2/3 frames in '24." MLB Pipeline's Sam Dykstra wrote in the most recent rankings update on May 11. 

"As good as the stuff has looked, he needs to show he can stick to the mound to regain more solid Top 100 consideration." Dykstra concluded. 

The news of Hence's rehab assignment Tuesday comes on the heels of another Cardinals pitching prospect trying to come back from injury. Quinn Mathews, the clubs No. 2 Prospect, threw two scoreless innings in a rehab start for the FCL-Cardinals on Monday.  

Hence will take the hill tonight when Palm Beach faces the Daytona Tortugas - Cincinnati Reds affiliate - at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. 

First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.