| David Hensley | |
|---|---|
 Hensley with theSugar Land Space Cowboys in 2022 | |
| Detroit Tigers | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: (1996-03-28)March 28, 1996 (age 29) San Diego, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 27, 2022, for the Houston Astros | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Batting average | .191 |
| Home runs | 3 |
| Runs batted in | 11 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
David James Hensley (born March 28, 1996) is an American professionalbaseballinfielder in theDetroit Tigers organization. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theHouston Astros andMiami Marlins. Hensley playedcollege baseball for theAztecs, and was selected by the Astros in the 26th round of the2018 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2022 with the Astros.
FromSan Diego, California, David Hensley attendedPatrick Henry High School andSan Diego State University (SDSU), where he playedcollege baseball for theAztecs. During his junior year, he led the Aztecs with a .357batting average and played mostlyright field. During his college career, he played every position exceptcatcher.[1]
TheHouston Astros drafted Hensley in the 26th round, with the 792nd overall selection, of the2018 MLB draft.[2] He made his professional debut that year with theHigh–AQuad Cities River Bandits. He spent the 2019 season with both Quad Cities and theSingle–AFayetteville Woodpeckers. Hensley did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of theminor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[3]
In 2021, Hensley played for the Double–ACorpus Christi Hooks.[4] Hensley was named the Hooks' Player of the Year after appearing in a team-high 105 games. He achieved personal bests while simultaneously leading the club with 54runs scored, a .293 batting average, 25doubles, threetriples, and 46bases on balls. He also tallied ninehome runs, 51runs batted in (RBI), 11stolen bases, and a .369on-base percentage.[5]
The Astros promoted Hensley to theTriple-ASugar Land Space Cowboys to start the 2022 season. On June 21, 2022, Hensley hit a three-runwalk-off home run to lead Sugar Land to a 3–1 victory over theTacoma Rainiers.[6] In Sugar Land, he batted .298/.420/.478 over 464plate appearances and started at least 15 games at each of the fourinfield positions.[7]
On August 20,2022, the Astros selected Hensley's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.[7] He made his major league debut on August 27, starting atshortstop and going 0-for-3 with a strikeout versus theBaltimore Orioles atMinute Maid Park.[8][9] The following day, he doubled off Oriolesstarting pitcherAustin Voth in the thirdinning for his first major league hit.[10] He collected his first three-hit game and reached base four times in a game for the first time in the major leagues versus theTexas Rangers on August 31.[11] Hensley doubled home two runs on in fifth inning on September 4 versusTucker Davidson of theLos Angeles Angels for his first two career RBI.[12] Hensley hit his first major league home run on September 27 in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park versusIan Kennedy of theArizona Diamondbacks.[13] In 2022 he batted 10-for-27 with a home run and five RBI with the Astros.[14] He appeared at second base, third base, shortstop, left field, and as a DH and pinch hitter.[15]
Hensley made his postseason debut in Game 1 of the2022 American League Division Series (ALDS), appearing as apinch hitter in the ninth inning. He washit by aPaul Sewald pitch, then replaced byJake Meyers aspinch runner, who scored the lead run on aYordan Alvarez three-run walk-off home run for an 8–7 final over theSeattle Mariners. It was the first walk-off home run in an MLB postseason contest with the home team down to their final out in the ninth inning and trailing by more than one run.[16][17] The Astros advanced to theWorld Series and defeated thePhiladelphia Phillies in six games to give Hensley his first career World Series title.[18] In 2023, Hensley played in 30 games for the Astros, batting .119/.213/.167 with one home run and three RBI.[19]
Hensley was optioned to Triple–A Sugar Land to begin the 2024 season.[20] In 81 games for Sugar Land, he batted .234/.352/.376 with seven home runs, 35 RBI, and 17 stolen bases. Hensley wasdesignated for assignment by the Astros on July 22, 2024.[21]
On July 29, 2024, Hensley was claimed off waivers by theMiami Marlins.[22] In 23 games for the Marlins, he slashed .212/.293/.288 with one home run, four RBI, and one stolen base. On November 1, Hensley was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the minors.[23] He elected free agency on November 4.[24]
On February 13, 2025, Hensley signed a minor league contract with theDetroit Tigers.[25]
