Cole Henry

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #22 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Henry has struggled to stay healthy since the Nationals selected him out of Louisiana State in the second round of the 2020 draft. He missed three months with elbow soreness in 2021 and had season-ending thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in August 2022. Henry returned to the mound in May 2023 but was limited to just 33.1 innings in 14 outings and has thrown just 112 innings in his career.
  
  Scouting Report: Henry has a three-pitch mix, but the whole may end up being greater than the sum of the parts. Henry primarily relies on a mid-90s two-seam fastball that doesn’t miss a ton of bats but is effective in manufacturing outs. He backs the fastball with a pair of offspeed pitches that could each be above-average. His slicing slider the better of the two and could play even better as he gets further from surgery. Henry rounds out the mix with a changeup that looked to be roughly above-average but got more consistent as the year progressed. He also throws a below-average cutter and has roughly average control.
  
  The Future: Simply returning to the mound from TOS was a massive step in Henry’s development. He could soon be knocking on the door of the big leagues, though his injury history and competitive mindset may ultimately land him in a multi-inning relief role.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Cutter: 40 | Control: 50
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #13 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Nationals drafted Henry in the second round in 2020 as a sophomore out of Louisiana State. After getting off to a hot start with High-A Wilmington in 2021, he missed the better part of three months with elbow soreness. He returned and joined the team's Arizona Fall League contingent. Henry opened 2022 with seven starts for Double-A Harrisburg before he was quickly promoted to Triple-A Rochester in June. He appeared to be on a fast track to Washington until he had thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in late August.
  
  Scouting Report: Prior to having TOS surgery, Henry threw both a two-seam and four-seam fastball, with the latter touching the high 90s. His best secondary pitch is his changeup followed closely by his improving curveball, a short breaker that has been an inconsistent offering for him. Both secondaries had flashed plus potential. In addition to his considerable stuff, Henry goes right after hitters, pitching with moxie and little fear. His reliever risk is enhanced following TOS surgery.
  
  The Future: Henry joins Stephen Strasburg and Will Harris as Nationals pitchers who had TOS surgery. The future was bright for Henry, but now it's more uncertain. The average recovery time from TOS surgery is six to eight months, and the organization hopes Henry will be back in time for spring training.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 Curveball: 50 Changeup: 55 Control: 50
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #6 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: In two years at Louisiana State, Henry had a 3.61 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 77.1 innings. As a draft-eligible sophomore, the righthander was selected in the second round at the end of the 2020 season. He debuted in 2021 and was excellent for High-A Wilmington. He missed some time in the middle of the season with elbow soreness, but upon returning, he finished the season as strong as he started.
  
  Scouting Report: Henry has a power repertoire, including both a four-seam and two-seam fastball that run into the mid 90s, with the four-seam fastball touching the high 90s. His changeup, which features good armside life, is currently his best secondary pitch and tunnels well with his fastball. But his curveball, a short breaker that has been an inconsistent offering for him, tightened up over the course of the season and shows signs of being a plus pitch down the line. In addition to his considerable stuff, Henry goes right after hitters, pitching with moxie and little fear. There is some reliever risk with Henry, because some rival evaluators make note of his reliever arm action.
  
  The Future: The organization is thrilled with where Henry is after he came back from injury strong. A healthy 2022 season will be key in his development, as it will presumably give him a chance to handle a heavier workload than he has to this point of his career.
  
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #3 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 60. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 50. Control: 50
  TRACK RECORD: Henry touched 97 mph in high school but fell to the 38th round due to his strong commitment to Louisiana State. He became the Tigers’ Friday night starter immediately as a freshman and was off to another excellent start in 2020 before the season shut down. The Nationals drafted the eligible sophomore in the second round, No. 55 overall, and signed him for $2 million.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Henry is a big, physical righthander with power stuff. His plus four-seam fastball sits at 94 mph and touches 97. He also has a two-seamer with solid sink in the mid 90s. Henry’s curveball flashes the depth and power to be an above-average pitch as a top-to-bottom, 12-to-6 offering. His fading changeup has flashed plus as well. Henry flashes premium stuff, but it’s not consistent and he has outings where he can’t put hitters away. He struggles to land his secondaries in the strike zone, allowing batters to sit on his fastball and drive it. Henry is a fiery competitor who goes right after hitters. The Nationals are excited about the tall pitcher’s frame and how his arm works.
  
  THE FUTURE: Henry took part in instructional league and should open next year in full-season ball. How quickly he harnesses his command will determine how fast he rises.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #44 prospect in 2020 draft
  One of the talented draft-eligible sophomore pitchers in the 2020 class, Henry ranked No. 225 on the BA 500 in 2018, when he showed a fastball up to 97 mph as a high school senior with a big frame to match. Henry has started to fill out that frame in two years with Louisiana State and is now listed at 6-foot-4, 211 pounds. With the increased strength he’s also improved his stuff, most notably a breaking ball that now has plus potential. He still can run his fastball up into the 97 mph range, but sits in the 92-95 mph range more typically, with a two-seam fastball in his arsenal as well. His curveball is a power offering with impressive depth, and he’s also shown feel for a changeup that scouts believe can be plus as well. With plus stuff across the board, Henry has all the pieces to be a frontline arm, but scouts have wanted to see more consistency. When everything’s on at the same time he can be electric, but that happens infrequently because he struggles at times to put hitters away or land his off-speed stuff for strikes. Henry established himself as LSU’s No. 1 weekend starter as a freshman, when he posted a 3.39 ERA over 58.1 innings with 72 strikeouts and 18 walks. He was once again the Friday arm in 2020 through four starts before the season was canceled. In that time, Henry posted a 1.89 ERA over 19 innings with 23 strikeouts and six walks. With sophomore eligibility, Henry could be a tough sign but is solidly a Day One talent.
• Ranked #225 prospect in 2018 draft
  Henry, listed at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, is a big, physical righthander with a power arm to match. His fastball typically sits in the low 90s and he's run it up to 97 mph--velocity that he figures to reach more consistently as he continues to develop. He throws both a power breaking ball and a changeup. He repeats his delivery well and has shown the ability to pound the strike zone. Henry is committed to Louisiana State and will be a draft-eligible sophomore in two years if he makes it to Baton Rouge.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Nationals drafted Henry in the second round in 2020 as a sophomore out of Louisiana State. After getting off to a hot start with High-A Wilmington in 2021, he missed the better part of three months with elbow soreness. He returned and joined the team's Arizona Fall League contingent. Henry opened 2022 with seven starts for Double-A Harrisburg before he was quickly promoted to Triple-A Rochester in June. He appeared to be on a fast track to Washington until he had thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in late August.
  
  Scouting Report: Prior to having TOS surgery, Henry threw both a two-seam and four-seam fastball, with the latter touching the high 90s. His best secondary pitch is his changeup followed closely by his improving curveball, a short breaker that has been an inconsistent offering for him. Both secondaries had flashed plus potential. In addition to his considerable stuff, Henry goes right after hitters, pitching with moxie and little fear. His reliever risk is enhanced following TOS surgery.
  
  The Future: Henry joins Stephen Strasburg and Will Harris as Nationals pitchers who had TOS surgery. The future was bright for Henry, but now it's more uncertain. The average recovery time from TOS surgery is six to eight months, and the organization hopes Henry will be back in time for spring training.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 Curveball: 50 Changeup: 55 Control: 50
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Nationals drafted Henry in the second round in 2020 as a sophomore out of Louisiana State. After getting off to a hot start with High-A Wilmington in 2021, he missed the better part of three months with elbow soreness. He returned and joined the team's Arizona Fall League contingent. Henry opened 2022 with seven starts for Double-A Harrisburg before he was quickly promoted to Triple-A Rochester in June. He appeared to be on a fast track to Washington until he had thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in late August.
  
  Scouting Report: Prior to having TOS surgery, Henry threw both a two-seam and four-seam fastball, with the latter touching the high 90s. His best secondary pitch is his changeup followed closely by his improving curveball, a short breaker that has been an inconsistent offering for him. Both secondaries had flashed plus potential. In addition to his considerable stuff, Henry goes right after hitters, pitching with moxie and little fear. His reliever risk is enhanced following TOS surgery.
  
  The Future: Henry joins Stephen Strasburg and Will Harris as Nationals pitchers who had TOS surgery. The future was bright for Henry, but now it's more uncertain. The average recovery time from TOS surgery is six to eight months, and the organization hopes Henry will be back in time for spring training.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 Curveball: 50 Changeup: 55 Control: 50
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: In two years at Louisiana State, Henry had a 3.61 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 77.1 innings. As a draft-eligible sophomore, the righthander was selected in the second round at the end of the 2020 season. He debuted in 2021 and was excellent for High-A Wilmington. He missed some time in the middle of the season with elbow soreness, but upon returning, he finished the season as strong as he started.
  
  Scouting Report: Henry has a power repertoire, including both a four-seam and two-seam fastball that run into the mid 90s, with the four-seam fastball touching the high 90s. His changeup, which features good armside life, is currently his best secondary pitch and tunnels well with his fastball. But his curveball, a short breaker that has been an inconsistent offering for him, tightened up over the course of the season and shows signs of being a plus pitch down the line. In addition to his considerable stuff, Henry goes right after hitters, pitching with moxie and little fear. There is some reliever risk with Henry, because some rival evaluators make note of his reliever arm action.
  
  The Future: The organization is thrilled with where Henry is after he came back from injury strong. A healthy 2022 season will be key in his development, as it will presumably give him a chance to handle a heavier workload than he has to this point of his career.
  
  Scouting Grades
  Fastball: 60. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: In two years at Louisiana State, Henry had a 3.61 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 77.1 innings. As a draft-eligible sophomore, the righthander was selected in the second round at the end of the 2020 season. He debuted in 2021 and was excellent for High-A Wilmington. He missed some time in the middle of the season with elbow soreness, but upon returning, he finished the season as strong as he started.
  
  Scouting Report: Henry has a power repertoire, including both a four-seam and two-seam fastball that run into the mid 90s, with the four-seam fastball touching the high 90s. His changeup, which features good armside life, is currently his best secondary pitch and tunnels well with his fastball. But his curveball, a short breaker that has been an inconsistent offering for him, tightened up over the course of the season and shows signs of being a plus pitch down the line. In addition to his considerable stuff, Henry goes right after hitters, pitching with moxie and little fear. There is some reliever risk with Henry, because some rival evaluators make note of his reliever arm action.
  
  The Future: The organization is thrilled with where Henry is after he came back from injury strong. A healthy 2022 season will be key in his development, as it will presumably give him a chance to handle a heavier workload than he has to this point of his career.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 50. Control: 50
  TRACK RECORD: Henry touched 97 mph in high school but fell to the 38th round due to his strong commitment to Louisiana State. He became the Tigers' Friday night starter immediately as a freshman and was off to another excellent start in 2020 before the season shut down. The Nationals drafted the eligible sophomore in the second round, No. 55 overall, and signed him for $2 million.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Henry is a big, physical righthander with power stuff. His plus four-seam fastball sits at 94 mph and touches 97. He also has a two-seamer with solid sink in the mid 90s. Henry's curveball flashes the depth and power to be an above-average pitch as a top-to-bottom, 12-to-6 offering. His fading changeup has flashed plus as well. Henry flashes premium stuff, but it's not consistent and he has outings where he can't put hitters away. He struggles to land his secondaries in the strike zone, allowing batters to sit on his fastball and drive it. Henry is a fiery competitor who goes right after hitters. The Nationals are excited about the tall pitcher's frame and how his arm works.
  
  THE FUTURE: Henry took part in instructional league and should open next year in full-season ball. How quickly he harnesses his command will determine how fast he rises.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 50. Control: 50
  TRACK RECORD: Henry touched 97 mph in high school but fell to the 38th round due to his strong commitment to Louisiana State. He became the Tigers’ Friday night starter immediately as a freshman and was off to another excellent start in 2020 before the season shut down. The Nationals drafted the eligible sophomore in the second round, No. 55 overall, and signed him for $2 million.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Henry is a big, physical righthander with power stuff. His plus four-seam fastball sits at 94 mph and touches 97. He also has a two-seamer with solid sink in the mid 90s. Henry’s curveball flashes the depth and power to be an above-average pitch as a top-to-bottom, 12-to-6 offering. His fading changeup has flashed plus as well. Henry flashes premium stuff, but it’s not consistent and he has outings where he can’t put hitters away. He struggles to land his secondaries in the strike zone, allowing batters to sit on his fastball and drive it. Henry is a fiery competitor who goes right after hitters. The Nationals are excited about the tall pitcher’s frame and how his arm works.
  
  THE FUTURE: Henry took part in instructional league and should open next year in full-season ball. How quickly he harnesses his command will determine how fast he rises.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 50. Control: 50
  TRACK RECORD: Henry touched 97 mph in high school but fell to the 38th round due to his strong commitment to Louisiana State. He became the Tigers’ Friday night starter immediately as a freshman and was off to another excellent start in 2020 before the season shut down. The Nationals drafted the eligible sophomore in the second round, No. 55 overall, and signed him for $2 million.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Henry is a big, physical righthander with power stuff. His plus four-seam fastball sits at 94 mph and touches 97. He also has a two-seamer with solid sink in the mid 90s. Henry’s curveball flashes the depth and power to be an above-average pitch as a top-to-bottom, 12-to-6 offering. His fading changeup has flashed plus as well. Henry flashes premium stuff, but it’s not consistent and he has outings where he can’t put hitters away. He struggles to land his secondaries in the strike zone, allowing batters to sit on his fastball and drive it. Henry is a fiery competitor who goes right after hitters. The Nationals are excited about the tall pitcher’s frame and how his arm works.
  
  THE FUTURE: Henry took part in instructional league and should open next year in full-season ball. How quickly he harnesses his command will determine how fast he rises.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  Henry ranked showed a fastball up to 97 mph as a high school senior and was drafted by the Tigers in the 38th round. He instead went to Louisiana State and immediately became its Friday night starter as a freshman, a role he continued to fill as a draft-eligibe sophomore this year before the season shut down. Henry has filled out to a listed at 6-foot-4, 211 pounds, and with increased strength has come improved stuff. Henry still can run his fastball up to 97 mph and sits comfortably in the 92-95 mph range. His curveball is a power offering with impressive depth that has begun flashing plus, and he also has feel for a changeup that some scouts believe can be plus as well. With plus stuff across the board, Henry has all the pieces to be a frontline starting pitcher, but scouts want to see more consistency. He's electric when everything is working together, but that rarely happens because he struggles to put hitters away or land his off-speed stuff for strikes. Even so, Henry performed in his Tigers career with a 3.03 ERA over 18 career appearances (15 starts). Henry could be tough to sign as a draft-eligible sophomore, but is solidly a day one talent.