Both Hence and Roby are considered Top 10 prospects in the Cardinals' organization, though their path to the majors is not yet clear.

In moves made to protect some of their better young prospects from the upcoming Rule 5 draft, the St. Louis Cardinals added right-handers Tink Hence, Tekoah Roby and Matt Svanson and outfielder Matt Koperniak to their 40-man roster on Tuesday.

They will be expected to take major developmental leaps forward, or at least, will the Redbirds decide if they should still be considered major pieces of the future.