Thomas Hanson

by tt68 on Aug 4, 2008 10:32 PM EDT

He has really be dealing in AA since the no hitter. Here is his line over the last 6 games(including tonight):

35.1 ip 21 h 7 er 48 k's 14 bb That is an ERA of under 2 and a whip under 1.

There was a reported increase in velocity and he already was considered to have excellent secondary stuff. John also mentioned that scouts like his presence on the mound. Where does he rank coming into next year? I think he is a lock for top 40 and think he may be better than that. What is the history of the Braves? Will they start him in AAA next year? Is there any chance he can make the rotation out of Spring Training?

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There is a very good chance that he could start the season next year with the big club, they have been known to bring guys in straight out of AA. There is talk he could see sometime up there in September.

by JFP on Aug 4, 2008 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

I doubt he'll start the season with the big club

I mean, he could come out and really impress Cox in big-league camp this Spring. But I imagine he’ll start the season in AA (or AAA if the team is in Gwinett already) and be the first guy up when someone gets hurt.

That said, I was a bit concerned after the no-no, because he had two consecutive mediocre outings. But it really looks like everything’s clicking for him now. It’s also been nice to see how quickly he was able to adjust to the new league. It took him about a month an a half, but he’s pitching now like he was in High-A.

I also like that they’re stretching him out a bit. He threw 130+ innings last year, and he’s on pace for almost 150 this year. Obviously the transition to the majors is the toughest part, but it’s looking like he could turn into a real innings-eater at some point.

by mraver on Aug 5, 2008 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Post title confused me

I’ve always heard him referred to as Tommy, not Thomas…

I recall him showing up on the radar when I was looking around at possible trade targets for the A’s (obviously this was before Atlanta’s MLB team imploded and it became clear they were going to be sellers at the deadline). I think any team would be very happy to have him in their system.

The only worrisome thing is that he’s a little fly-ball prone.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 4, 2008 10:41 PM EDT reply actions

He is...but so are some other tall pitchers.

An example of one who it works for is Chris Young. One that it doesn’t would be Jason Hirsh.

But yeah that is a concern. He has given up 9 home runs in 76 AA innings…not a very good rate.

by tt68 on Aug 5, 2008 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

It's OK to be fly-ball prone when you play in Petco...

Chris Young is a solid pitcher, but Petco (in addition to being a generally extreme pitcher’s park) really plays into his particular game plan.

I’m just imagining what Rich Harden’s ERA would be if he played a (healthy) full season in Petco. I’d put the over/under at 2.00…

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 5, 2008 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Unlikely

that he’ll make it out of spring training due to his fly ball tendencies and the fact of Jair Jurrjens, Jorge Campillo, Charlie Morton, and Jo-Jo Reyes being ahead of him with the Braves possessing over $45 million to spend this offseason.

by was385 on Aug 5, 2008 2:02 AM EDT reply actions