Top 150 Prospects writeups - 31-35
31. Tommy Hanson - RHP Braves - DOB: 08/28/86 - ETA: May 2009
Previous rankings: mid-2007 #120, 2008 #105
3-1, 0.90 ERA, 15 H, 49/11 K/BB in 40 IP (A+ Myrtle Beach)
5-3, 4.08 ERA, 52 H, 63/27 K/BB in 64 IP (AA Mississippi)
Hanson stumbled a bit after initially reaching Double-A, but he has a 3.06 ERA in his last nine starts. On June 25, he posted perhaps the best line seen in the minors this year, throwing a no-hitter with 14 strikeouts against Birmingham. As a flyball pitcher with an unexceptional fastball and a curve for an outpitch, Hanson fits the profile of pitchers who tend to fare a lot better in the minors than in the majors. However, he does work at 89-92 mph, so he’s not a soft-tosser, and his changeup is a fine third pitch. I think he’ll turn into a reliable No. 3.
