Cardinals Farm Report: No. 3 Tink Hence Ramping Up Rehab After Lengthy Absence
Despite the St. Louis Cardinals' recent skid at the big league level, the team's minor league system displayed some bright spots last week.
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Here's a look at some of the top players from last week along with an update on one of the team's top prospects:
Mike Antico, Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A)
Antico had a productive week at the plate, hitting 6-for-16 (.375) with a double and a home run to drive in six and score twice. The 27-year-old reached base via walk three times to push his on base percentage to .474 while racking up a 1.099 OPS. Antico, a career minor league, is making a push for the big leagues this season, leading qualified Memphis hitters with a .320 average.
JJ Wetherholt, Springfield Cardinals (Double-A)
The Cardinals' top prospect continued his torment of Double-A opponents on both sides of the ball last week. In five games, Wetherholt collected seven hits, three doubles, five walks, three RBI, two runs and two stolen bases and slashed .412/.545/.588/1.133. The 22-year-old top prospect also showed off his defensive prowess with a diving stop at short.
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Nathan Church, Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A)
Since being called up to Memphis on June 3, Church has been on a tear at the dish. In 10 games at Triple-A, the team's No. 21 prospect is carrying a .425 average with 17 hits, five walks and four stolen bases for seven runs scored. He had a .964 OPS in that span.
St. Louis Cardinals No. 3 prospect Tink Hence pitches during a spring relief appearance on Feb. 25.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Player to keep an eye on:
Tink Hence, Peoria Chiefs (High-A)
Hence, the team's No. 3 prospect, began his rehab stint on June 2 after starting the year on the 60-day injured list with a right rib cage strain.
The 22-year-old flamethrower completed one inning with the Rookie-Ball Florida Coast League Cardinals, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one. His next start came with the Low-A Palm Beach Cardinals in which he struck out six batters and allowed just one hit and hit one batter over 2 2/3 innings of work.
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Hence took a step back in his most recent rehab appearance which was one level higher with the High-A Peoria Chiefs. In 3 2/3 innings pitched, he allowed two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out just one batter.
Related: MLB to Celebrate Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar, Other Japanese Players with Custom Manhole Covers
Related: Cardinals' Brendan Donovan IL Decision Delayed Amid Crucial Weekend Series
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
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