Tommy Hanson

2013

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2012

Hanson started strong last season and looked to move among the NL's elite starters by posting a 2.48 ERA and 89:30 K:BB ratio in 83.1 innings through June 12. However, he went on the DL in late June with a shoulder injury, which later was revealed to be a small rotator cuff tear. After his shoulder injury, he had a 5.59 ERA in eight starts before he went on the DL again in early August and wasn't able to return. When healthy, Hanson has great control with strong strikeout rates and keeps the ball in the park. However, his health is uncertain heading into spring training. Hanson didn't have surgery as doctors said he had no structural damage and he rehabbed the injury. If he's throwing well this spring, his early season success last season may show he's ready to become one of the NL's top starters.

2011

Hanson duplicated his strong rookie season to become Atlanta's second ace at the top of the rotation. Hanson has great control with strong strikeout rates and keeps the ball in the park. He's also durable as he went six innings or more in 22 of 34 starts. Perhaps the only complaint is that he doesn't have the exceptional strikeout rates he posted in the minors, but striking out 7.7 K/9IP with his control is still strong enough to maintain his recent success.

2010

Hanson was touted as Atlanta's top pitching prospect before last season and didn't disappoint after he was called up in June. He averaged just over eight strikeouts per nine innings with good control while compiling an impressive a 2.89 ERA in his first exposure to the majors. There's even some room for improvement as his strikeout rate was short of the more than a strikeout per inning rate he had in the minors. He should quickly be among the top NL starters as Atlanta's No. 2 or No. 3 starter.

2009

Hanson is Atlanta's top pitching prospect who could make an impact as early as 2009. He followed up a strong Double-A campaign (8-4 with a 3.03 ERA and 114:41 K:BB ratio in 98 innings), with a dominant Arizona Fall League performance (5-0 with a 0.63 ERA and 49:7 K:BB ratio in 28.2 innings). He appears to have a real shot at winning a spot in the big league rotation during spring training, but he may need some seasoning at Triple-A.

2008

A 22nd-round pick in 2005, Hanson had a breakout season at Low-A Rome with a 2.59 ERA and 90:26 K:BB ratio in 73 innings. He struggled a bit at High-A Myrtle Beach with a 64:32 K:BB ratio in 60 innings. He was previously seen as a control artist so the high strikeout rates indicate he may be ready to rise quickly in the system. He'll likely start again at High-A, but a strong first half could see him at Triple-A later in the year. He's a solid keeper league prospect as a result.