Tink Hence – St. Louis Cardinals Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Tink Hence stands out as one of the most promising young arms in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Born August 6, 2002, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, he’s been making waves in the minor leagues with his electric fastball and sharp breaking pitches.

He pitched for Watson Chapel High School before making the jump to pro ball.

Tink Hence signed a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals that came with a $1,115,000 signing bonus. Right now, that bonus basically represents his net worth. Even while he’s still developing in the minors, the Cardinals already added him to their 40-man roster. That says a lot about how much they believe in his future.

At just 22, Hence has shown impressive control and poise for someone so young. He stands 6’1″ and weighs 195 pounds—he’s got the physical tools to become a frontline starter.

Baseball insiders think Hence could see some pretty big financial gains if he keeps progressing toward his expected MLB debut.

Early Life and Education

Markevian “Tink” Hence started his baseball journey in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. People noticed his natural talent and work ethic early on.

His early years in Pine Bluff set the stage for his rise in the baseball world.

Background and Family

Tink Hence was born on August 6, 2002, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas—a city that loves its baseball. The nickname “Tink” stuck with him from childhood and now everyone in the baseball community knows him by it.

Growing up in Arkansas, he found his passion for baseball at a young age.

His family played a huge role in supporting his baseball dreams. They drove him to practices, games, and tournaments all over the place.

The Pine Bluff community also helped out by providing local fields and competitive games.

Getting that early exposure to baseball in the South, which has a reputation for producing top talent, helped shape his competitive drive and dedication.

Academic Achievements

While chasing his baseball dreams, Hence stayed focused on his studies at Watson Chapel High School in Pine Bluff. He managed to balance schoolwork with baseball, which isn’t easy.

He earned recognition not just for his pitching, but for his performance in the classroom too. He kept his grades up throughout high school, knowing that discipline in school often translates to the field.

Scouts noticed his time management skills and his ability to juggle academics and athletics. This balance became even more important as the 2020 MLB Draft approached, since his education gave him options beyond just baseball.

By graduation, Hence set himself up as both a promising baseball prospect and a student with a solid academic foundation.

Professional Career Highlights

Tink Hence has climbed quickly through the Cardinals organization since they drafted him in 2020. He’s been impressive in the minors, and that led to his spot on the 40-man roster.

Key Roles and Accomplishments

The St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the second round (#63 overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft. Born in 2002, the righty has already become one of the organization’s top pitching prospects.

He’s shown steady progress in his minor league career. The Cardinals have mostly used him as a starter while he’s moved up through the system.

His performance in the minors got him noticed, and the Cardinals selected his contract from the Springfield Cardinals.

A big moment came when Hence got activated for the National League Futures on July 14, 2024, showing he’s among the game’s most promising young talents.

Significant Projects and Collaborations

Hence has taken part in key development programs with the Cardinals. At 6’1″ and 195 pounds, his size pairs well with his pitching skills.

The 40-man roster spot shows the Cardinals are serious about his potential. This move keeps other teams from grabbing him in the Rule 5 Draft and brings him closer to the majors.

He’s worked with respected pitching coaches throughout the minors who’ve helped him fine-tune his technique. Climbing through several minor league levels shows the Cardinals are taking a careful approach with his development.

His estimated net worth of $1,115,000 comes from his signing bonus and what he’s earned so far as a pro.

Contract and Financial Overview

Tink Hence started his pro career with a modest but promising financial base. His contract details show he’s a developing talent with plenty of room for future earnings.

Major Contracts and Earnings

Hence’s pro career started when the Cardinals picked him 63rd overall in the 2020 MLB Draft. He chose to sign for $1.115 million instead of playing college ball at Arkansas. That bonus was actually higher than his slot value of $1.08 million.

Most of his career earnings so far come from that initial signing bonus.

As a minor leaguer, he’s been on the usual minor league contract. His net worth is around $1,115,000, mostly thanks to the draft bonus.

The Cardinals’ investment in him shows they believe he’ll be a big part of their future.

Salary, Bonuses, and Incentives

Right now, Hence is on a one-year contract with the Cardinals while he keeps working his way up. Minor league salaries aren’t widely publicized, but they usually range from $4,800 to $14,000 per month, depending on the level.

Once he makes the majors, he’ll earn at least the MLB minimum salary, which goes up with every new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Future contracts could include bonuses for things like:

• Innings pitched
• Games started
• All-Star appearances
• Awards

The Cardinals selected Hence’s contract from the Springfield Cardinals, which means he’s getting closer to his MLB debut.

Average Annual Value and Luxury Tax Implications

Since Hence hasn’t signed a big league contract with major AAV (Average Annual Value) yet, his current deal barely affects the Cardinals’ luxury tax. Minor league contracts don’t count toward the luxury tax until the player joins the 40-man roster.

When he signs his first big league deal, the AAV will be the total guaranteed money divided by the number of years. That number goes into the Cardinals’ Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) calculation.

For young pitchers like Hence, teams sometimes offer early contract extensions to lock in talent before arbitration. These deals usually balance:

• Risk for the player
• Cost certainty for the team
• Possible club options for free agency years

The Cardinals seem to be taking a long-term view with Hence and want him to be a key part of their pitching staff.

Net Worth and Investment Portfolio

Tink Hence has started building his financial foundation as a pro with the St. Louis Cardinals. His earnings and investment choices show he’s thinking about both his current status and his future security.

Estimated Net Worth in Recent Years

Right now, Tink Hence’s net worth is about $1,115,000, mostly from his baseball earnings. As a young talent, he’s still in the early stages of building wealth.

Most of his income comes from his baseball salary, which is pretty modest compared to MLB veterans. He’s on a one-year contract with the Cardinals, but the exact salary isn’t public.

Young prospects like Hence often see their net worth jump when they hit milestones like:

• Getting called up to the majors
• Finishing pre-arbitration years
• Becoming arbitration-eligible
• Reaching free agency

Investment Strategies

Like a lot of pros, Hence probably works with financial advisors who know sports wealth management. Young players are paying more attention to asset allocation early in their careers.

Players at Hence’s stage usually keep things conservative. They might go for:

Short-term investments:

• High-yield savings accounts
• Money market funds
• Certificates of deposit (CDs)

Long-term growth:

• Diversified stock portfolios
• Real estate
• Tax-advantaged retirement accounts

With baseball careers being unpredictable, players like Hence tend to focus on liquidity and protecting their money early on.

Notable Assets and Holdings

Hence keeps his holdings pretty private, which makes sense. But a lot of pro athletes at this stage buy real estate—maybe a house near spring training or back home.

Unlike older players who might get into private equity or firms like Lovell Minnick Partners, Hence probably isn’t there yet. His financial team is likely focused on growing his basic wealth, not fancy investments.

MLB luxury tax rules don’t really affect Hence right now. But understanding them will matter when he’s negotiating bigger contracts down the line.

With his current earnings, he probably hasn’t splurged on luxury cars or vacation homes just yet.

Industry Influence and Personal Life

Tink Hence’s rising MLB profile goes beyond his pitching. His relationships, interests, and community involvement are shaping his reputation as a pro athlete and public figure.

Relationships with Prominent Figures

Hence has built connections with several MLB veterans during his career. In spring training, St. Louis Cardinals veterans have mentored him and shown him the ropes.

He’s talked about studying Shohei Ohtani’s training routine and really admires Ohtani’s work ethic. “Watching how someone like Ohtani approaches the game has been eye-opening,” Hence shared in a team interview.

He’s also made friends with other young pitchers around the league. These relationships have helped him grow as a player and given him support as he works toward breaking into the majors.

Lifestyle and Interests

Outside of baseball, Hence keeps things pretty low-key, which might surprise some folks given his growing net worth of $1,115,000.

He doesn’t really buy into flashy spending. Instead, you can tell he’s thinking about his career lasting a long time.

Hence likes to read books—mostly about pitching mechanics and sports psychology.

He also plays chess for a mental workout.

You’ll sometimes spot him outdoors, fishing or hiking when he gets the chance.

When it comes to getting around, Hence chooses a mid-range SUV. That’s a bit different from the luxury cars you usually see with pro athletes.

“I’m saving for the long-term,” he said once in a clubhouse interview.

On social media, he sticks to posting baseball training clips and an occasional peek at his workouts.

He keeps his personal life pretty private, and honestly, you don’t see much beyond the baseball stuff.

Impact on the Community

Since he joined the St. Louis Cardinals organization, Hence has really stepped up his community involvement.

At just 22, he jumps right into the team’s youth baseball initiatives. He spends time teaching fundamentals to local kids, which honestly feels pretty rare for someone his age.

He’s especially passionate about bringing baseball to underserved communities. During a community event in 2024, he said, “Growing the game means making it accessible to everyone.” You can tell he means it.

Here’s some of the charitable work he’s tackled so far:

• He donates to Little League programs back in his hometown.
• He joins the Cardinals on hospital visits.
• He backs education initiatives around St. Louis.

Even though he’s still early in his career, Hence is already laying the groundwork for a meaningful community impact.

His teammates often mention how he volunteers for public appearances, even though he’s naturally pretty reserved. That says a lot about how much he cares about using his platform for good.