Craig Hansen

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I've got to agree with SFOC here. There's such a huge difference between college ball and major league baseball that VERY VERY few players make the leap without playing in the minors. That's why when a guy like John Olerud did it, it was a big deal. Even the top picks spend some time in the minor leagues. Being a college player, Hansen should be ready before the top High School picks, but there's still an adjustment period. And just like SFOC said-- the main thing is the mental aspect of it. You don't want to ruin a talent like Craig Hansen by throwing him in the Major Leagues before he's ready. And now that he's under the control of the Red Sox system, they can watch him every day, and get the best feel for WHEN that will be. It COULD be as a September callup, but it seems next season is a more accurate estimate.

 

This is true and the Sox don't reallllly need him at this point. We have enough RHPs in the bullpen. What we need is a lefty unless Remlinger can get back to form. I would like to see Hansen get called up to Portland quickly and take on the closer role. The talks about him being a starter are interesting. Many of us (including me) don't like the idea but the Red Sox know the system better than we do. Maybe they see Delcarmen being the closer and a rotation of Hansen, Papelbon, Sanchez, and Lester....who knows....I'm not a farm system guru but I do know the big addition of September won't necessarily be a callup but a certain Keith Foulke who needs to regain form.

[DrewDaGreat]

When they think he's ready.

 

Thanks...

[yankeessuck013]

RED SOX FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK, CRAIG HANSEN, JOINS SEA DOGS

08/11/2005

 

The Boston Red Sox announced Thursday that first round draft pick Craig Hansen has been assigned to Double-A Portland. Hansen, a right-handed pitcher, was Boston’s second first-round selection in the June 2005 draft (26th pick overall). To make room on the Sea Dogs 24-man roster, left-handed pitcher Brantley Jordan was transferred to Single-A Greenville.

 

Hansen signed with the Red Sox on July 25 and was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Red Sox in Fort Myers. He made two appearances in the Gulf Coast League. In his professional debut on August 4th he worked a perfect inning in relief, striking out two batters and earning the win. Hansen also pitched two innings on August 8th, allowing no runs, two hits, and striking out two. He has not yet walked a batter.

 

Hansen, 21 years-old was rated as the # 10 overall prospect and the # 4 pitching prospect in the June 2005 draft according to Baseball America. The 6-foot-5, 185-pounder was honored as the 2005 Big East Conference Pitcher of the Year, after going 3-2 with 14 saves and a 1.68 ERA in 31 appearances (30 in relief) as a junior at St. John's University. He struck out 85 in 64.1 innings, an average of 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings. He held opponents to a .173 average and allowed one home run.

 

In Baseball America's annual Best Tools survey, the Glen Cove, New York native was listed as having the best breaking ball and the second-best fastball among draft-eligible college pitchers. Baseball America tabbed Hansen as the draft prospect closest to reaching the major leagues.

 

Hansen posted a 7-6 record with 26 saves and a 3.49 ERA in 83 games in three seasons at St. John's. His 14 saves in 2005 were a single-season school record, surpassing his own school record of 10 set in 2004. He played four years of varsity ball at Glen Cove High School in New York, where he fanned 223 batters in 140.2 innings, an average of 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings. As a senior in 2002, Hansen earned All-Long Island, All-State and Division MVP honors after posting an 8-0 record and not allowing an earned run all season.

 

The Portland Sea Dogs begin a nine game, seven day homestand tonight against the Norwich Navigators (Giants) at 7:00 PM. Tonight’s game is Sold Out. Tickets are available for most Sea Dogs home games and can be ordered by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or on-line at http://www.seadogs.com.

[riverside sluggers]

our future closer is moving on up!! exciting to say the least

[DrewDaGreat]

Awesome!!!

[yankeessuck013]

I'm guessing they held off on making the assignment official until he was ready to pitch again, so I'd expect he'll make his AA debut tonight.

[YanksHater213]

Sounds like someone is on the fast track to the MLB...

[ORS]

In Hansen's Portland debut tonight, he earned the save with a 9 pitch 9th inning. He gave up one hit and fanned one.

[YanksHater213]

Hmmm... if he keeps pitching like this, he will be on the 40 man roster.

[elsrbueno]

Hmmm... if he keeps pitching like this, he will be on the 40 man roster.

 

He's already on the 40 man roster.

 

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=bos

[ORS]

Craig Hansen got another inning for Portland in tonight's 12-1 loss to Norwich.

 

1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

[yankeessuck013]

good news, should be promoted to pawtucket soon

[nd31irish]

I worked with the Notre Dame baseball team the past 2 years and got to see Hansen quite a bit. This past year he was amazing. He pitched in all 3 games that we played them and not only did he save the games, he manhandled our team (and ND is a good hitting team). He has an amazing fastball that few hitters can catch up to. His slider is one of the nastiest pitches I've ever seen. Since his fastball is so effective, hitters have a hard time picking up his sliderl and locating it even when it crosses the plate.

 

Last year he was good, but lacked a quality changeup, which he added last summer in the Cape Cod league. His changeup literally made ND batters look foolish. Our best hitters batting .350 were striking out easily on 3 pitches.

 

Through talks with the players and coaches, I have heard he was solely chosen by the Red Sox to be used as a closer, potentially this year in the post season. He wasn't the highest rated pitcher or reliever, but was rated #1 in ability to make it to the majors first. He will not be used as a starter because he does not have another pitch and he's never started in college and lacks the starter mentality. He pitched a 2nd inning against ND and after 5 batters, we started to break him down and he looked shaken.

[yankeessuck013]

He pitched a 2nd inning against ND and after 5 batters, we started to break him down and he looked shaken.

 

I dont like that....but thats pretty cool that you got to watch him as much as you did. I think he will be something special though, although I'm not sure if he can handle a pennant race in his debut season between the RED SOX and YANKEES.

[example1]

There's alot of major adjustments to be made from college ball. Your point that college ballplayers are generally closer to being ready than high school draftees is correct. They have had several years to mature both physically and mentally. They also have had the benefit of playing against a higher level of competition and hopefully better coaching. However, the same is true in progressing to the majors. At each level of progression through the minor leagues a player faces increasing level of skill. Thus the shear physical ability does not guarentee success anymore. There is a mental aspect to be considered. What happens when he throws his best pitch say a 95 mph fastball, only to see it sail out of the park ( maybe it was thrown to a dead fastball hitter ) ? I won't even get into contracts, incentives, the media, etc. You don't want to rush a talent, this isn't the movies.

 

Great points all. I wasn't doubting the utility of the minor leagues... obviously they are a necessary part of the process. I was just thinking that it ought to take a college player LESS time in the minors than a hs player and that a player who is having obvious success in the minors (as we hope to see hansen do) could be valuable on an MLB club. If hansen is, say, the equivalent of John Wettland in a few years (hopefully better), then hopefully there is no harm in leaving him down there. However, in the playoffs we want that talent on the roster. If he's better than, say, Remlinger, then I just think he should be pitching on the big club even if he's a little unpolished. I think the work that Delcarmen is getting is great.

 

All that aside though, I will always and continually defer to the genius that is Theo Epstein. I don't know anything more than he does.

[yankeessuck013]

Blessed with a mid-90s fastball and a biting slider, Craig Hansen may be the first of the 2005 draft class to reach the Major Leagues. Taken by the Red Sox as the 26th pick overall, Hansen made his professional debut Thursday night for Double-A Portland. Boston GM Theo Epstein was on hand, and he did not leave disappointed.

 

Hansen, a dominant closer this season at St. John's, pitched a scoreless ninth inning to save a 3-2 Sea Dogs victory over Norwich. Allowing only a soft single, Hansen hit 96 on the radar gun and struck out the first professional batter he faced on three pitches. All nine pitches he threw were strikes.

 

Hansen, who signed on July 23nd, debuted after making only two appearances in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He arrived in Portland only hours before the game, and based on his first performance, he may not be staying for long.

 

http://www.soxprospects.com/players/images/craighansen.jpg

 

On his first Double-A appearance: "There were definitely a few nerves, but I kept my composure. That's always a big part of it. It felt like my velocity and command were there. I felt solid. It felt great to be back on the mound, and I feel like I did my job."

 

On being assigned to Double-A Portland: "They told me on Monday, after one of my Gulf Coast League outings. Until then, I didn't really know where I'd be going. I didn't really need to know. I didn't have expectations, because my job is to do what they tell me and try to get hitters out.”

 

On how long he’ll be in Portland : “I’m not sure on that, either. They haven’t told me, and I haven’t asked. That’s up to the organization.”

 

On his slider, which he's thrown as hard as 90 mph: "I threw two or three last night, and it felt good. It took a few pens to regain the feel for it after the lay-off, but it's there. I'm not sure how hard I was throwing it. I don't pay much attention to the numbers."

 

On the effect adrenaline has on his velocity: “I’d say that maybe I throw a little harder when the adrenaline is pumping. Especially last night. You get a little more keyed-up in certain situations.”

 

On developing his change-up: "I'm working on it every day. I'm long-tossing with it, and trying to build up the muscle-memory and get a permanent feel. It's getting close to where I need it to be; to where I can be consistent with it. It's a pitch I want to use to complement my fastball and slider, even as a closer."

 

On whether his future is as a starter or as a closer: "That's really up to the Red Sox. I don't really know. We'll wait until the offseason and talk about it then. I went seven innings in my last game at St. John's, in the regionals. They told me I threw 95 in the beginning, and 95 in the end, so I know I can maintain my stuff. But it's up to them. Ultimately, it's not my choice."

 

On joining baseball’s biggest rivalry: "Half of my family are Yankee fans, and the other half Mets fans. But in college, I became more and more of a baseball fan than a fan of just one team. I've come to Fenway a few times, and have been amazed by the passion. It will be a thrill to pitch there. When I do, I'm not going to change anything. I'm just going to go with what works for me mentally. I'm composed on the mound, and that's one reason I'm here right now."

 

On what he’s like off the field: “I’m a little outgoing, I guess. But mostly I’m just a normal person. A regular guy.”

[ORS]

Two more innings for the phenom tonight in Portland's 9-3 win in the second game of a double-header with Binghamton.

 

2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

 

Expect a move to Pawtuckett soon.

[yankeessuck013]

impressive so far

[yankeessuck013]

Crap, I think we could safely say he'll be up September 1st.

 

He hit 95 regularly with his fast ball, and got a nice swinging third strike on an 89 mph slider away.

[ORS]

His stuff is nasty, but the key thing for me is his control. Between the GCL and Portland he's pitched 7 innings, with 11(?) K's and NO walks.

 

EDIT: 9 K's

[yankeessuck013]

Could Hansen be on the way?

 

By Tom Caron, NESN Staff | August 17, 2005

 

The Red Sox continue to search for bullpen help. The relief situation has been problematic all season long, and the problems have continued of late. If not for the team's major-league leading offense, this would be the top story of the summer.

 

The front office may not need to look far to find that help. Craig Hansen is pitching very well for Double-A Portland. In five appearances with the Sea Dogs, the first-round pick has yet to give up a run. He has faced 15 batters, striking out five of them. Opponents are hitting .267 off of him.

 

Reports on Hansen have been overwhelmingly positive. One member of the Red Sox front office said there are no plans to promote him to Triple-A, and that he could be thrown into the fire of an AL East division race after this weekend. Hansen will pitch twice over the weekend in Portland, and will be re-evaluated at that time. Don't be surprised if he winds up with the big club in Kansas City, barring any setbacks over the weekend.

 

It wasn't that long ago, while Hansen was still unsigned, that fans spoke of him closing games this summer. That projection might not have been so far-fetched after all. Hansen's fastball has been in the upper 90s, and stays down in the strike zone. For a bullpen that's been fighting to keep the ball in the yard, Hansen could be the perfect addition.

 

This is heady stuff from a guy who just signed his first pro contract on July 25.

 

Theo Epstein and company have been working hard to bolster the staff. They've acquired Mike Remlinger, Ricky Bottalico, and Matt Perisho since the July 31 trading deadline. All three have struggled, and the Sox are hoping they can become productive pitchers and add depth to the Sox staff.

 

Remlinger has been given a chance to do that in the past week. Terry Francona tried to ease the local product back into action Tuesday night after the Sox put seven runs up on the board in the 11th. That after Remlinger was unable to record an out in his first two appearances. It was a noble effort, and it seemed to be working when Remlinger got two quick outs. Then came trouble: Remlinger gave up two walks and a base hit before a grand slam that brought the Tigers back within three.

 

Remlinger got the final out to end the game, lowering his ERA from infinity to 54.00 with the Sox. He was back on the mound yesterday, throwing a 1-2-3 seventh in Detroit.

 

The 39-year old has accomplished plenty in his 14 major league seasons, pitching for five division winners and making 26 postseason appearances. Experience counts, but young pitchers like Hansen, Jonathan Papelbon, and Manny Delcarmen may have a lot more to do with Boston's stretch run. The future is happening before our very eyes, and it's hard not to like what we're seeing from these young arms.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/nesn/caron/08_17_05/

 

Promote him and let go of Millar or Remlinger. Use him like the Yankees 1st did Mariano - to set up Foulke (Foulke proved his worth last year... he'll be back & should be our closer)

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Yeah, let him set up. but please don't let this go the way of Cla Meredith.

[riverside sluggers]

ugh i was at that game of cla meredith's debut

[yankeessuck013]

I think if he shows he can throw day after day and be strong both days then we should give him a shot. He honestly cannot be any worse than some of the guys we have out there now. Plus, a 95 MPH tailing fastball with a hard, sharp slider is generally effective from a three-quarter slot - check K-Rod.

 

If Hansen struggles, get him out QUICK. We do not need him getting frustrated and down on himself because this kid is gonna be one helluva reliever, whether it be this year or next.

 

But, Let me be the first to say it:

 

Hansen has ice water in his veins.

[yankeessuck013]

"I wouldn't be surprised if he was up there (in Boston) next week." -- 8.17, Peter Gammons on Craig Hansen

[Manny Goes Boom]

By the way you guys talk about him, he must be special. And I agree, why not give him a shot? I mean its not like the vets (besides Timlin) have been producing like they can and should. And if he throws upper 90's with a nasty slider thats big leaugue stuff with plenty of upside.

[riverside sluggers]

Gonzalez has been producing as of late, he's now pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings of relief---as well as bradford

[elsrbueno]

Hansen's certainly been dominating AA, but there's such a huge difference between AA and the bigs. Just ask Cla.

 

It seems like there could be some merit to the idea of Hansen being called up (at least when the rosters expand) because he jumped up to Portland very quickly. I don't think Hansen's given up a run yet in Pro ball, that's pretty impressive. 5 K's in 4 innings and no walks? Also pretty impressive.

 

The 4 hits in 4 innings is a little bit of a concern, but not enough to think he can't get it done. It seems like if anyone can make the jump, it's Hansen.

[ORS]

I don't know about his last outing where he gave up 2 hits in 2 innings, but the postgame wrap on his first 2 appearances have those first 2 hits being broken-bat type bloop singles. Hardly the type that are a cause for concern.

 

Meredith's debut was marred by control problems that he didn't suffer from in AAA. He went from walking 2.25/9 to walking 15.5/9. Nerves?

 

Hansen's stuff is off the charts compared to Cla. Consistent mid-90's FB, high-80-s to low-90's slider, both of which he has demonstrated absolute control over. Meredith throw's in the low-90's, with his slider in the low-80's, average MLB stuff.

 

Considering our BP woes at this point, it's worth giving him a shot to find out if he can execute the same level of control at the highest level. Necessity is the mother of invention.

[MC Hammer]

I don't think theres any question that Hansen will be with the club ASAP. Theres no reason to keep him in the minors if he even has a hint of being ready, which he does. He may come up and be the glue that holds the bullpen together, or he falls apart. Either way we've gotta give him a shot, because this bullpen is not going to work in the playoffs.