Top 25 Under 25: #23 Tommy Hanson

Tommy Hanson

Born: 08/28/86

In 2005, Hanson was selected in the 22nd round (Pick 677) by the Atlanta Braves. Before the 2007 season began, Hanson was named the best pitching prospect in the South Atlantic League, and the Braves fans started going crazy over the thoughts of what he might be. This is an organization that has seen pitchers like Glavine, Smoltz, and Maddux, so when a player like this gets that kind of hype you know he has to be something special.

Hanson was promoted to AA after only allowing 15 hits in 40 innings with a 3-1 record and 0.90 ERA. He didn't stop making noise when he was moved up, as he pitched a no-hitter in only his 9th start (he also threw 14 K's in that game). The legend only grew as he 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 K's in 28.2 innings. Hanson was named the Arizona Fall League's MVP, which was the first time a pitcher had ever won that award.

Hason was almost traded for Jake Peavy in the beginning of this year, but the deal fell through and Hanson finally got his shot as a full time starter when the Braves cut ties with Tom Glavine. So far this year he is 5-1 with a 2.95 ERA, and looking more and more like he will be the ace for the Braves for years to come. At only 22 years old Tommy Hanson has a chance to really climb this list in the coming years...


THE LIST:
#25: Derrick Rose
#24: Matt Kemp
#23: Tommy Hanson

Red Sox 1 Braves 2

The Red Sox failed in their chance for a sweep as Tommy Hanson improves to 4-0 even though he was battling the flu. The much hyped prospect has so far been the real deal, and it has to be helping Braves' fans forget the whole mess with Glavine. Hason went 6 innings allowing only 2 hit 0 runs with 2 Ks. His ERA on the season is 2.48 and he is going to be a good building block for a team that really needs to rebuild.

Boston did not get its first run till the 9th inning when Varitek it an RBI double. Other then that this game was a snoozer. Penny once again pitched well going 6 inning allowing 2 runs, but the Sox gave him no support as they only had 5 hits all game. Games this this happen, but Boston needs to be more consistent with their run support, as they didn't give much in Wakefield win either.

With the loss the Sox are now only 3 games up on the Yankees and 5 games up on the Ray. Both teams are riding 5 game winning streaks. Boston will try to get back on their winning ways as they start a 3 game series against the Orioles tonight.