The final line in the boxscore will read 2 innings, 38 pitches-22 strikes, 2 hits, 2 earned runs allowed, 1 walk, 1 HBP and 1 strikeout. Numbers can lie however. Tommy Hanson made his Atlanta spring training debut blowing smoke against the Houston Astros. His first pitch was a 96 mph fastball. In fact, his first ten pitches were all fastballs. After a walk, Hanson might have earned some clubhouse respect by hitting Miguel Tejada, possibly in retaliation to Yunel Escobar’s HBP one inning prior. Hanson displayed a 94 mph (according to ESPN) slider as well as a 99 mph fastball in his second inning of work. Hanson was able to wiggle out of trouble in the second by pulling a nice hook (curveball) out of the bag against Carlos Lee.
Overall Hanson showed a power slider, a smooth curve, great movement on the fastball and just a comfortable presence on the bump. What will the future hold for Hanson? With Lowe, Vazquez, Kawakami, Jurrjens and Glavine penciled in as the rotation, Hanson will likely start the year in Gwinnett. Braves GM Frank Wren has said that they anticipate Hanson to be ready for the majors by the summer. He certainly showed potential today but if the team doesn’t need to rush him, why would they?
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