# Clay Hensley

Clayton Allen Hensley (born August 31, 1979) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Florida Marlins, and San Francisco Giants.

## Early life

Hensley attended Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he set a single season record with 127 strikeouts in 100 innings.

## Professional career
### San Francisco Giants

Hensley was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 8th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft. On May 3, 2003, he pitched a perfect game for the South Atlantic League Hagerstown Suns.

### San Diego Padres

On July 13, 2003, Hensley was traded to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Matt Herges. On April 5, 2005, he was suspended 15 games for testing positive for steroids while pitching in the minor leagues. Later that season, he was called up from the Triple-A Portland Beavers. He emerged as a vital figure in middle relief, not allowing a home run in 47+2⁄3 innings pitched.
In 2006, Hensley made 29 starts for the San Diego Padres, with an ERA of 3.71.
Hensley began the 2007 season as the Padres' #5 starter, but was placed on the disabled list in May. After struggling in his minor league rehab starts, Hensley was optioned to the Triple-A Portland Beavers.
On August 4, 2007, Hensley gave up Barry Bonds' 755th career home run, which tied Bonds with Hank Aaron for most all-time. The next day, Hensley was optioned to the minor leagues.
Hensley was non-tendered by the Padres following the 2008 season, making him a free agent.

### Houston Astros

On December 23, 2008, Hensley signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros that included an invitation to spring training worth $550,000. In 6 games for the Triple-A Round Rock Express, he struggled to a 7.20 ERA with 5 strikeouts in 10 innings. On May 13, 2009, Hensley was released by the Astros organization.

### Florida Marlins

On May 13, 2009, Hensley signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins.
In 2010, Hensley took over the closer role from Leo Núñez. For the start 2011 season, Hensley was once again being used as a setup man. However, after injury problems to both himself and Marlins ace Josh Johnson, the Marlins promoted him to the starting rotation. He was designated for assignment on December 9, 2011, and elected free agency on December 12.

### San Francisco Giants (second stint)

On February 8, 2012, Hensley signed a non-guaranteed contract with the San Francisco Giants that included an invitation to spring training. He made the Giants' 2012 Opening Day roster out of spring training. He became a free agent following the season.

### Cincinnati Reds

On February 11, 2013, he signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Hensley was released from the Reds Triple-A affiliate the Louisville Bats on May 20, thus becoming a free agent.

### Milwaukee Brewers

On May 26, 2013, Hensley signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 4 games for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, he posted a 3.38 ERA with 2 strikeouts over 2+2⁄3 innings pitched. Hensley was released by the Brewers organization on June 11.

### Sugar Land Skeeters

On August 11, 2013, Hensley signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the season. In 14 games 14.1 innings of relief he went 2–0 with a 0.63 ERA with 16 strikeouts and 1 save.
On January 24, 2014, Hensley signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals that included an invitation to spring training. He was released prior to the start of the season on March 20.
On April 11, 2014, Hensley signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 3 games (1 start) for the Skeeters, he struggled to a 13.50 ERA with 1 strikeout over 2+2⁄3 innings pitched. Hensley announced his retirement from professional baseball on April 28.

## Pitching style

Although Hensley lacked premium speed on his pitches, he used his upper-80s sinker to induce weak contact. To right-handed hitters, Hensley added a slider averaging about 80 mph and a big curveball averaging about 70 mph to the mix. To lefties, Hensley used the curveball and a changeup in the low 80s. He also occasionally threw a four-seam fastball. He delivered his pitches with a nearly straight-overhead throwing motion.

## Personal life

As of June 2023, Hensley married and lives in Pearland.