That is the situation the A's could find themselves in with right-hander Tink Hence, who was designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. Hence was a second-round selection in the 2020 MLB Draft, and was a consensus top-100 prospect from 2023-25, reaching as high as No. Up until this season, when he'd been healthy, he'd been productive. He represents the kind of post-hype, high-upside arm that the club needs more of in the farm system. AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementFor the A's, Hence represents a calculated bet on a pitcher who still has time to deliver on his prospect pedigree.