Early Return on Tommy Hanson

Perhaps it is a little early to determine whether it was the right decision to cut Tom Glavine, or if it was the right time to call Tommy Hanson up to the Majors, but one thing is undeniable. Hanson has the stuff to be one of the best pitchers in the game. How fast he achieves that status, if he does at all, is to be determined.

After giving up three homeruns to the Milwaukee Brewers in his Major League debut, I was admittedly a little concerned. I did not expect sheer dominance in his first start, but I did not expect he would give up three long balls and seven runs in six innings. He left his fastball fat way too many times and one of the best hitting teams in the National League made him pay. It wasn't all bad, however, as he struck out the side in the second inning, giving the Braves faithful a glimpse at what he could possibly be.

His most recent start, he faced the Baltimore Orioles. While they may not be quite the offensive force that the Brewers are, Hanson would have to face an "extra" hitter in the lineup since the Orioles use a DH in the American League. Hanson gave up more hits(9), but was able to keep the ball in the yard. It appeared that Baltimore's strategy against Hanson was to jump on the first pitch. Brian Roberts and Matt Wieters both accounted for one line-drive base hit each on the first pitch of an at bat. Amid the fourteen base runners he allowed(9 hits, 5 walks),Tommy was able to do a great job of damage control and limited the Orioles to only two runs. Peter Moylan relieved Hanson in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and two outs. His strikeout of Adam Jones on three straight pitches proved to be the most important plate appearance of the game and secured the Braves lead.

Could Hanson have been better in his first two starts? Of course. But he isn't some sort of immortal as many Braves fans thought he would be from the get go. He's a rookie. A darn good one at that. It will be intriguing to watch Hanson as he grows from start to start and becomes a better pitcher. Nothing can prepare you for Major League hitters and he must learn the tendencies and weaknesses of each hitter he will face. As far as my two cents go, Hanson certainly has the tools that scouts have raved about for over a year now. It's simply about him doing his homework and gaining Major League experience to become the phenom that Brave nation has labeled him.