Ty Hensley

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #20 prospect in 2015
  Hensley had already dealt with more than his fair share of injuries. His post-draft physical in 2012 had turned up a shoulder irregularity, and he missed all of 2013 after having surgery on both hips. He finally made it out of complex ball and under the lights in 2014 at short-season Staten Island, where the results were promising. Hensley's fastball, which touched 96-97 mph before the draft, was back up to 96 in the New York-Penn League. He pitched closer to 90-93 mph but showed he had a little extra in the tank when needed. He also found the handle on his previous out-pitch, a 12-to-6 hook in the mid-70s that reached an above-average spin rate of 2,900 revolutions per minute, according to TrackMan readings. Hensley still is working to develop his changeup and trust his stuff again after such a long layoff, but the Yankees are thrilled that he's back, healthy and pitching. He'll join low Class A Charleston in 2015.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #24 prospect in 2014
  The Yankees hadn't drafted and signed a prep righthander in the first round since Phil Hughes in 2004 when they took Hensley in 2012. He originally agreed to terms for $1.6 million but had his bonus reduced to $1.2 million after a physical revealed shoulder abnormalities. His injury news worsened in 2013 when abdominal pain that sidelined him in spring training turned out to be tied to a hip impingement that required surgery. The procedure cost Hensley the entire season, which means he'll have just 12 pro innings under his belt when the 2014 season gets under way. At his best, he couples a 92-95 mph fastball with a 12-to-6 curveball reminiscent of the one Phillies righty Ethan Martin employs. Hensley hasn't gotten many pro innings to work on his nascent changeup. His health will be closely monitored, and the Yankees are eager to see what their first-rounder can do if he's ever healthy. They hope to find out in 2014 at low Class A Charleston.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #9 prospect in 2013
  Hensley's father Mike was drafted 66th overall out of high school and 53rd overall out of Oklahoma in 1988 before pitching three seasons in the Cardinals system. The Yankees hope to have more success with his son, who gave up football to focus on baseball. The 30th overall pick in June, he originally signed for $1.6 million but had his bonus reduced to $1.2 million after a physical revealed some shoulder abnormalities. He hasn't had any health issues, however. New York favors curveballs over sliders, and Hensley had one of the best curves in the entire draft, a 12-to-6 breaker in the upper 70s. He has size, athleticism and hand speed, all of which allow him to spin the ball and maintain a 92-95 mph fastball that peaks at 97. He didn't need a changeup much as an amateur and worked on one during instructional league. Hensley still is growing into his frame and needs to add some strength to maintain his delivery and find a consistent release point, which would improve his command. He tends to elevate his fastball and work up and down in the strike zone. The Yankees sent Hensley to their Dominican instructional camp so he could continue working with pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras. Hensley will focus on improving his fastball command and his changeup in 2013, possibly in low Class A.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #23 prospect in 2012 draft
  The Cardinals made Mike Hensley the 53rd overall selection in the 1988 draft, and his son Ty will beat him by about 30 picks this June. While several of this draft crop's high school righthanders have been injured or regressed this spring, Hensley has done nothing but help his cause. The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder has sat at 92-95 mph and touched 96-97 with his fastball all season--and it's not even his best pitch. That would be a 12-to-6 curveball that he spins in the upper 70s. Hensley's command isn't as impressive as his pure stuff, and he still needs to add some life and work down in the zone more often with his fastball. Before his velocity spiked, he showed a promising changeup as a sophomore, but he hasn't needed it this spring. A quality athlete, Hensley played quarterback at Santa Fe High before giving up football before his senior year. He's also a power-hitting switch-hitter who could get the opportunity to play both way in the unlikely event that he follows through on his commitment to the University of Mississippi.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Hensley's father Mike was drafted 66th overall out of high school and 53rd overall out of Oklahoma in 1988 before pitching three seasons in the Cardinals system. The Yankees hope to have more success with his son, who gave up football to focus on baseball. The 30th overall pick in June, he originally signed for $1.6 million but had his bonus reduced to $1.2 million after a physical revealed some shoulder abnormalities. He hasn't had any health issues, however. Scouting Report: New York favors curveballs over sliders, and Hensley had one of the best curves in the entire draft, a 12-to-6 breaker in the upper 70s. He has size, athleticism and hand speed, all of which allow him to spin the ball and maintain a 92-95 mph fastball that peaks at 97. He didn't need a changeup much as an amateur and worked on one during instructional league. Hensley still is growing into his frame and needs to add some strength to maintain his delivery and find a consistent release point, which would improve his command. He tends to elevate his fastball and work up and down in the strike zone. The Future: The Yankees sent Hensley to their Dominican instructional camp so he could continue working with pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras. Hensley will focus on improving his fastball command and his changeup in 2013, possibly in low Class A.