Tommy Hanson
Encyclopedia
Thomas J "Tommy" Hanson (born August 28, 1986, in Tulsa, Oklahoma
) is a Major League Baseball
starting pitcher
for the Atlanta Braves
. Hanson was considered by Baseball America
to be the top prospect in the Braves farm system going into the 2009 season. That was affirmed by Minor League News, which tapped Hanson as the number one prospect to mid-season in the MLN FAB50 Baseball 2009 rankings. He was called up to the majors on June 3, 2009.
. After moving to California at a very young age, Hanson graduated from Redlands East Valley High School
in June 2004, electing to continue his post-secondary education at Riverside Community College
. He played for the Corvallis Knights
in the West Coast League
, an independent summer collegiate baseball league. In 2005, he was selected in the 22nd round (677th overall pick) by the Atlanta Braves as a draft-and-follow pick.
of the Appalachian League
. In Danville, he began the season as the league's fourth-best prospect according to Baseball America. That season, Hanson ended up starting Game 2 of the Appalachian League Championship Series, finishing the season 4-1 with three wins coming in relief. He also had a 2.09 ERA
with a 0.99 WHIP
.
and the ninth-best prospect in the Braves system. Hanson began the 2007 season in Class A, playing for the Rome Braves
. When in Rome, Hanson amassed a 2-6 record with a 2.59 ERA in 14 starts (and one relief appearance). Midway through the season, Hanson was called up to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
, also a Class A team for the Atlanta Braves. He ended up finishing the season at 3-3 with a 4.20 ERA in 11 starts.
. At Mississippi, Hanson threw a no-hitter in his ninth start while also setting a new career high for strikeouts with 14. Hanson finished the 2008 season with Mississippi. He finished 8-4 with a 3.03 ERA in 18 starts. Following the Minor League season, Hanson won the MiLBY for Class A Advanced Single Game Performance. He won this award for his performance with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Hanson was named the Atlanta Braves Pitcher of the Year and also placed on Baseball America's Minor League Team of the Year. Hanson was invited to the Arizona Fall League
to showcase his pitching. He compiled a 5-0 record with a 0.63 ERA while racking up 49 strikeouts in 28.2 innings. Hanson was named the Arizona Fall League's MVP, the first pitcher to receive this award.
pitcher Jake Peavy
. Hanson's name was mentioned throughout the proceedings, but a trade for Peavy did not take place. Hanson began the 2009 season with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate, the Gwinnett Braves
. He was named the number one prospect in MiLB by Minor League News in the MLN FAB50 Baseball 2009 rankings.
Hanson was called up by the Atlanta Braves on June 3, 2009 after the team cut Tom Glavine
. He made his debut on June 7 against the Milwaukee Brewers
, pitching 6 innings
, striking out 5, giving up 6 earned run
s, 3 home runs, and receiving a no decision. He gave up two home runs to Ryan Braun
, the first being the first hit allowed in Hanson’s major league career.http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/06/08/braves0608.html
On June 12, Hanson earned his first win against the Baltimore Orioles
.
On June 28, he threw six scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox
, allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks to improve his career major league record to 4-0 and lowered his ERA
to 2.48. In his first 4 major league victories, his combined ERA was 0.78. At one point in the season he had thrown 22 consecutive shutout innings and also became the first National League rookie pitcher to win consecutive starts against the Yankees and the Red Sox. For his efforts, Hanson was named June's NL Rookie of the Month. In his final 10 starts, Hanson pitched 60.2 innings and allowed just 17 earned runs in that span. Hanson finished third in voting for the National League Rookie of the Year award.
2010
As of August 16, Hanson is 8-8 with a 3.51 ERA and 134 strikeouts
2011
On June 12th, Hanson set a new career high of 14 strikeouts in a game against the Houston Astros, which matched the most strikeouts recorded by a pitcher at Minute Maid Park. The pitcher who initially set the record of 14 strikeouts at Minute Maid Park was Bud Norris. At the all-star break, Tommy Hanson led the league in opponents' batting average (.190), was fourth in ERA (2.44), third in K/9 (9.5), second in WHIP (1.016), and tied for third in wins (10). Despite this, Hanson was not selected to the NL All-Star team, as Giants manager Bruce Bochy selected three of his own pitchers over Hanson. Given his numbers, Hanson's all-star snub is one of the biggest snubs in all-star history.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. Hanson was considered by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
to be the top prospect in the Braves farm system going into the 2009 season. That was affirmed by Minor League News, which tapped Hanson as the number one prospect to mid-season in the MLN FAB50 Baseball 2009 rankings. He was called up to the majors on June 3, 2009.
Early life
Tommy was born in Tulsa, OklahomaTulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
. After moving to California at a very young age, Hanson graduated from Redlands East Valley High School
Redlands East Valley High School
Redlands East Valley High School is a public high school in Redlands, California, near the San Bernardino Mountains. The school opened in the 1997-1998 school year as part of the Redlands Unified School District.-Colors and mascot:The official school colors of REV are red, white and black...
in June 2004, electing to continue his post-secondary education at Riverside Community College
Riverside Community College
Riverside City College, or RCC, is a community college located in Riverside, California, United States. The college is part of the Riverside Community College District, as well as the larger California Community Colleges System.-History:...
. He played for the Corvallis Knights
Corvallis Knights
The Corvallis Knights is a collegiate summer baseball team located in Corvallis, Oregon. Founded in 1990 in Beaverton by Dan and his brother Joe Segal, the Knights moved to Corvallis from Gresham in , they play in the West Coast League, a college summer wood-bat league where college players and...
in the West Coast League
West Coast League
The West Coast League is a collegiate summer baseball league founded in 2005, comprising teams from Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. The league is designed to develop college talent. As such, only current college players are allowed to participate in the league...
, an independent summer collegiate baseball league. In 2005, he was selected in the 22nd round (677th overall pick) by the Atlanta Braves as a draft-and-follow pick.
Minor league career
The following year, in 2006, Hanson began playing for the Danville BravesDanville Braves
The Danville Braves are a minor league baseball team in Danville, Virginia, USA. They are an Advanced Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League and have been a farm team of the Atlanta Braves since 1993. The Braves play home games at American Legion Post 325 Field...
of the Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
. In Danville, he began the season as the league's fourth-best prospect according to Baseball America. That season, Hanson ended up starting Game 2 of the Appalachian League Championship Series, finishing the season 4-1 with three wins coming in relief. He also had a 2.09 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
with a 0.99 WHIP
Walks plus hits per inning pitched
In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base...
.
2007
Before the 2007 season began, Hanson was named the best pitching prospect in the South Atlantic LeagueSouth Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
and the ninth-best prospect in the Braves system. Hanson began the 2007 season in Class A, playing for the Rome Braves
Rome Braves
The Rome Braves are a Class-A minor league affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. In 2003, the team, previously known as the Macon Braves, moved from Macon, Georgia, to Rome, Georgia, 60 miles northwest of Atlanta....
. When in Rome, Hanson amassed a 2-6 record with a 2.59 ERA in 14 starts (and one relief appearance). Midway through the season, Hanson was called up to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a minor league baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are a Class A Advanced team in the Carolina League and the franchise is currently the farm team of the Texas Rangers. From their inaugural season until 2010, the Pelicans were an affiliate of the...
, also a Class A team for the Atlanta Braves. He ended up finishing the season at 3-3 with a 4.20 ERA in 11 starts.
2008
Hanson began the 2008 season in Myrtle Beach. In his first start, Hanson pitched five no-hit innings and recorded a then career-best 13 strikeouts (later broken in Double-A that year). Over his seven starts with the Pelicans, he allowed 15 hits in 40 innings. That stat, along with his 3-1 record and 0.90 ERA, earned him a promotion to the Braves' Double-A affiliate, the Mississippi BravesMississippi Braves
The Mississippi Braves, or M-Braves as they are referred to locally, are a minor league baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson. The team is the Class AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, and plays in the Southern League. The team is owned and operated by Liberty Media, which...
. At Mississippi, Hanson threw a no-hitter in his ninth start while also setting a new career high for strikeouts with 14. Hanson finished the 2008 season with Mississippi. He finished 8-4 with a 3.03 ERA in 18 starts. Following the Minor League season, Hanson won the MiLBY for Class A Advanced Single Game Performance. He won this award for his performance with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Hanson was named the Atlanta Braves Pitcher of the Year and also placed on Baseball America's Minor League Team of the Year. Hanson was invited to the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
to showcase his pitching. He compiled a 5-0 record with a 0.63 ERA while racking up 49 strikeouts in 28.2 innings. Hanson was named the Arizona Fall League's MVP, the first pitcher to receive this award.
2009
In the 2008 offseason, the Atlanta Braves were one of multiple teams that were interested in trading for San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
pitcher Jake Peavy
Jake Peavy
Jacob Edward Peavy is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Chicago White Sox. He bats and throws right-handed...
. Hanson's name was mentioned throughout the proceedings, but a trade for Peavy did not take place. Hanson began the 2009 season with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate, the Gwinnett Braves
Gwinnett Braves
The Gwinnett Braves are a minor league baseball team in the International League, the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Atlanta Braves. The team was previously the Richmond Braves for 43 seasons . On January 14, 2008, it was announced that the Richmond Braves would move from Richmond,...
. He was named the number one prospect in MiLB by Minor League News in the MLN FAB50 Baseball 2009 rankings.
Major league career
2009: Rookie YearHanson was called up by the Atlanta Braves on June 3, 2009 after the team cut Tom Glavine
Tom Glavine
Thomas Michael Glavine is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher.With 164 victories during the 1990s, Glavine was the second winningest pitcher in the National League, second only to teammate Greg Maddux's 176...
. He made his debut on June 7 against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, pitching 6 innings
Innings
An inning, or innings, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably cricket and baseball during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. In cricket, the term innings is both singular and plural and is...
, striking out 5, giving up 6 earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
s, 3 home runs, and receiving a no decision. He gave up two home runs to Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
, the first being the first hit allowed in Hanson’s major league career.http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/06/08/braves0608.html
On June 12, Hanson earned his first win against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
.
On June 28, he threw six scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks to improve his career major league record to 4-0 and lowered his ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
to 2.48. In his first 4 major league victories, his combined ERA was 0.78. At one point in the season he had thrown 22 consecutive shutout innings and also became the first National League rookie pitcher to win consecutive starts against the Yankees and the Red Sox. For his efforts, Hanson was named June's NL Rookie of the Month. In his final 10 starts, Hanson pitched 60.2 innings and allowed just 17 earned runs in that span. Hanson finished third in voting for the National League Rookie of the Year award.
2010
As of August 16, Hanson is 8-8 with a 3.51 ERA and 134 strikeouts
2011
On June 12th, Hanson set a new career high of 14 strikeouts in a game against the Houston Astros, which matched the most strikeouts recorded by a pitcher at Minute Maid Park. The pitcher who initially set the record of 14 strikeouts at Minute Maid Park was Bud Norris. At the all-star break, Tommy Hanson led the league in opponents' batting average (.190), was fourth in ERA (2.44), third in K/9 (9.5), second in WHIP (1.016), and tied for third in wins (10). Despite this, Hanson was not selected to the NL All-Star team, as Giants manager Bruce Bochy selected three of his own pitchers over Hanson. Given his numbers, Hanson's all-star snub is one of the biggest snubs in all-star history.