Craig Hansen

[a700hitter]

How long would it take to stretch him out to be ready to be a starter?

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

That makes sense actually. Running three-inning stints deffinitly makes sense for a starter. I was not aware he was developing a sinker....that would be incredible...

 

98 mph fastball

90 mph slider

sinker and changeup

 

Thats one hell of a starter if he can have control. I don't really care who the closer is and who the starter is between Hansen and Papelbon....I just want them to be placed in the best possible situation to succeed. I am suprised there is a chance Hansen would be ready before Jon Lester.

[TheRivernator]

I dunno how great this is for the sox. Here's the deal with Hansen, his heater, which has a lot of movement, is not considered a heavy heater. When you talk about the most dominating power pitchers, their balls are considered to be heavy by hitters. That usually means that even when you hit them solid, they are not easily lifted into the air or they seem to not go as far as the hitter thinks they should. Hansen has a light ball and Mora showed it when he hit a long tater off him last yr on a high heater. I think the sox are going about this the wrong way. Hansen has been a closer now for awhile and he has the propensity to leave the ball up in the zone. Thing is, AA hitters wont be able to drop the hammer on the high pitches like big leaguers will. The most important pitch in baseball is the fastball, and he needs to spot his at the knees to be effective as a MLB pitcher. He doesnt need a new pitch, because if his fastball, overall, stays mediocre, then adding a mediocre pitch to the mix wont do anything. He needs to make his fastball spectacular, and he cannot do that until he is aggressive low in the zone. Also, this kid SCREAMS closer. He has the imposing size and two devastating pitches when located properly. No matter what he tries to develop, he wont beat out his heater or his slider. I'd say, keep the kid in AAA all season. Have him close games, and have him focus on hitting the knees on both corners with the fastball and keeping the slider out of the middle of the plate. If he does that, then he'll not only be MLB ready, but MLB dominant. If he cannot do that, then it wont matter what he adds, he wont make it....

[ksushi]

Erm, I don't know where you got that, but I bought a handy dandy scouting guide last week that actually says Hansens sinking fastball is one of the heaviest sinkers in the minors. And just about every 98 mph fastball is gonna be a heavy pitch. Hansen is very good, great location and great stuff, just needs to learn to pitch. There is no bad news with this what-so-ever in my opinion. A pitcher is a pitcher and he can best help out the team right now by starting and all last year all we heard is how he has the frame to be a starter, the stamina to be a starter, and the stuff. Why, now that he will be a starter, are there skeptics?

 

edit - might be a starter.

[TheRivernator]

Erm, I don't know where you got that, but I bought a handy dandy scouting guide last week that actually says Hansens sinking fastball is one of the heaviest sinkers in the minors. And just about every 98 mph fastball is gonna be a heavy pitch. Hansen is very good, great location and great stuff, just needs to learn to pitch. There is no bad news with this what-so-ever in my opinion. A pitcher is a pitcher and he can best help out the team right now by starting and all last year all we heard is how he has the frame to be a starter, the stamina to be a starter, and the stuff. Why, now that he will be a starter, are there skeptics?

 

edit - might be a starter.

 

I dunno if he has the stamina to be a starter. He hasnt been one on a regular basis in a long time. Also, he has the kind of stuff, that if located properly, will not be hit the first time though the order. He might be a guy who could be adjusted to and if his stamina is limited, then he is a guy who can be worked and then gotten out of the game quickly. BUT, you put him into a game in the 9th inning and ask guys who have just faced inferior stuff all game to try and hit his stuff, one shot deal or nothing, he'll win most of the time. (Assuming he spots it)....

[ksushi]

I dunno if he has the stamina to be a starter. He hasnt been one on a regular basis in a long time. Also, he has the kind of stuff, that if located properly, will not be hit the first time though the order. He might be a guy who could be adjusted to and if his stamina is limited, then he is a guy who can be worked and then gotten out of the game quickly. BUT, you put him into a game in the 9th inning and ask guys who have just faced inferior stuff all game to try and hit his stuff, one shot deal or nothing, he'll win most of the time. (Assuming he spots it)....

 

Why are you making all these assumptions? You've not been impressing me lately. That entire post was devoid of substance and just a bunch of bias BS. I'm getting kind of let down by the majority of your posts lately.

 

He has big league type stuff. No reason to assume teams will knock him out early just because you think he is a first-time through pitcher. Assumtion based bias crap right there. His stamina isn't limited, he has a resilient arm and hes a beast. Why all the doubt of his control too? Good command of a heater and slider has been his M.O. and the change-up is a recent development. The change of speeds was the only thing Hansen was lacking in making the jump to the rotation. He has the feel of the change and is still refining it, but when he learns how to pitch I don't see anything keeping him out of the rotation. I've been reading up on our farm and I'm really psyched with some of the stuff I see down there. Clearly you are less than impressed but its not like you've been much of a stand up kind of guy lately. Nothing about the Red Sox impresses you and its getting kind of boring how you slam the sox about everything and never tip your cap.

[MC Hammer]

I dunno if he has the stamina to be a starter. He hasnt been one on a regular basis in a long time. Also, he has the kind of stuff, that if located properly, will not be hit the first time though the order. He might be a guy who could be adjusted to and if his stamina is limited, then he is a guy who can be worked and then gotten out of the game quickly. BUT, you put him into a game in the 9th inning and ask guys who have just faced inferior stuff all game to try and hit his stuff, one shot deal or nothing, he'll win most of the time. (Assuming he spots it)....

Well every pitcher is easier to hit the second time through the order. Can you please explain to me why his 90mph slider would be any easier to hit the second time through the lineup than another pitchers 90mph slider? If the pitch is effective it's effective.

 

I'm definatly not saying Hansen is going to be an effective starter because I've never seen him start a game, but your arguement is pure ********.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

If he is working on a sinker it doesn't matter if his fastball is considered heavy or light or whatever the hell the nonsense is. If he develops a good changeup....again it doesnt matter....he will be able to set up the fastball and keep imposing hitters off balance.

 

A 98mph fastball is rediculous to hit but whats more rediculous is not knowing when its coming. If he can make a ball sink with a velocity between his slider and fastball this guy will be incredible....I'm not sure it can be done but I think its worth a try for the Red Sox to develop him that way...if it doesn't work he can always go back to closing....

 

Thats why Theo Epstein wasn't worried about him closing games.

[ksushi]

He isn't working on a sinker. He's had a very good sinker for a while. This guy is scary, he can get ground ball outs and strike outs all day. He has the skill set to be a starter and he is leaps and bounds ahead of Lester and most of our prospect developmentally so I'm not so surprised by this. Very good move.

[TheRivernator]

Why are you making all these assumptions? You've not been impressing me lately. That entire post was devoid of substance and just a bunch of bias BS. I'm getting kind of let down by the majority of your posts lately.

 

He has big league type stuff. No reason to assume teams will knock him out early just because you think he is a first-time through pitcher. Assumtion based bias crap right there. His stamina isn't limited, he has a resilient arm and hes a beast. Why all the doubt of his control too? Good command of a heater and slider has been his M.O. and the change-up is a recent development. The change of speeds was the only thing Hansen was lacking in making the jump to the rotation. He has the feel of the change and is still refining it, but when he learns how to pitch I don't see anything keeping him out of the rotation. I've been reading up on our farm and I'm really psyched with some of the stuff I see down there. Clearly you are less than impressed but its not like you've been much of a stand up kind of guy lately. Nothing about the Red Sox impresses you and its getting kind of boring how you slam the sox about everything and never tip your cap.

 

cmon ksush, read my posts. I am very impressed with him, as I think the guy will be a top of the line closer for years to come, if he progresses right. We all saw a very limited sample of him and from what I saw, he left pitches up in the zone. His stuff as is is better than 95% of the big leagues and if he can locate to the low spots and keep the pitches out of the happy zone, then he will be great. I just see a very big parallel with him and Proctor. Both have lights out A#1 stuff, but Proctor never really worked on his location all that much until this yr. He always focused on adding to his arsenal, which was a failed venture, and it wasnt until the Gator told him to focus on his fastball location first that he has emerged on the scene. Hansen is a special player, nobody will deny that. He just needs a little work is all that I am sayin. His stuff plus good location is the key. Now good location and control are two huge differences. He doesnt walk all that many guys at all, but how many mistake pitches does he make in the zone? He has to avoid those and he will be golden. Bottom line, special player, special stuff, needs work, period....

[ksushi]

cmon ksush, read my posts. I am very impressed with him, as I think the guy will be a top of the line closer for years to come, if he progresses right. We all saw a very limited sample of him and from what I saw, he left pitches up in the zone.

 

In the bigs last year? He was coming off of/still in a dead arm peroid. Had no slider. Anyone can hit a 98 mph fastball if its all he's got and it was all he had. Remember ST? No earned runs? Hes a beast.

 

His stuff as is is better than 95% of the big leagues and if he can locate to the low spots and keep the pitches out of the happy zone, then he will be great. I just see a very big parallel with him and Proctor. Both have lights out A#1 stuff, but Proctor never really worked on his location all that much until this yr.

 

Ok, stop. Hansen already has good location. I mean, I dont know if my word isn't good enough, but dig around. I own a good few books on prospects, but prospectus and BA and others and none of them have anything bad to say about Hansens control. His biggest knock is that he cannot change speeds. As a closer, it doesn't really matter. Most scouting reports are nothing short of glowing.

 

Hansen is a special player, nobody will deny that. He just needs a little work is all that I am sayin. His stuff plus good location is the key. Now good location and control are two huge differences. He doesnt walk all that many guys at all, but how many mistake pitches does he make in the zone? He has to avoid those and he will be golden. Bottom line, special player, special stuff, needs work, period....

 

 

period, right.... you are the be all end all authority on everything.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

He isn't working on a sinker. He's had a very good sinker for a while. This guy is scary, he can get ground ball outs and strike outs all day. He has the skill set to be a starter and he is leaps and bounds ahead of Lester and most of our prospect developmentally so I'm not so surprised by this. Very good move.

 

He's had a good sinker?? Did I miss that?? All I have heard is he has a high 90s fastball and a high 80s slider

[Teddyballgame10]

I dont want papelbon as te closer he has the stuff to go out there and start for us. Hanson is a closer for the futre. I dont want to mess with these kids and have them never make it. I say just stick to the plane

[schillingouttheks]

Well, Papelbon as a closer is working damn well. They may experiment with Hansen as a starter just to see what happens. If this works, and it's not the plan, then I'm damn happy. I don't care how they use their talent, as long as it gets used is all I care about.

[MC Hammer]

I dont want papelbon as te closer he has the stuff to go out there and start for us. Hanson is a closer for the futre. I dont want to mess with these kids and have them never make it. I say just stick to the plane

If you know anything about sports you'd know that you're never able to stick to any plans. Especially in baseball where there are a million variables on every single pitch that could completely change the "plan" for your season.

[a700hitter]

You can't pull the plug on Papelbon as closer. He has been light out in that role. You don't mess with that kind of success. Plus, let's remember that he was a closer in College. The Sox were going to convert him to starting pitching. Leaving him as a closer is not messing with him. It's something he knows and is obviously very comfortable with it. Hansen will now be the pitcher that they look to convert. If Wells can do the job or if the Sox get Clemens, you will probably not see Hansen until next season or later in the second half of this season, as they will be grooming him to be a starter.

[jsinger121]

Hansen tonight against the Rochester Red Wings

 

3.1 innings 1H 0ER 4BB 2K's

[TheRivernator]

Hansen tonight against the Rochester Red Wings

 

3.1 innings 1H 0ER 4BB 2K's

 

I played against Pawtucket's starter. Deschenes threw an okay fastball, but he had one hell of a nasty breaking ball...

[jsinger121]

Craig Hansen will be making his first pro start tomorrow night (assuming the weather cooperates), in the secobd game of a scheduled doubleheader.

[Beckett95]

how many innings/pitches is he expected to throw?

[jsinger121]

I would say 4 innings would be the most he would throw

[jsinger121]

Hansen's final pitching line tonight

 

4 IP 5 H 0 R 0 BB 4 K (54 pitches/35 strikes)

[Beckett95]

I would say 4 innings would be the most he would throw

good call with the 4 innings. Looks like he did pretty good in his first start.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I'm not positive on the stats line but from the play by play I came up with:

 

4 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

 

...all the hits were singles

 

appears I was beat to the punch....damn jsinger your quick

[Beckett95]

article in todays globe by chris snow

 

Jonathan Papelbon, cast in the minors as a workhorse starting pitcher, leads the major leagues in saves with 14. Craig Hansen, the reliever billed last summer and this spring as the Red Sox' future closer, started a game in Pawtucket Monday, pitching four innings as he works on developing his slider and changeup. He allowed five hits but no runs, fanning four.

 

Is it possible that a role reversal could take place, that Papelbon could become a closer for life and Hansen, who can touch 98 miles per hour, a starter?

 

''Yeah," Curt Schilling said Wednesday. ''Amazing how it works out."

 

Papelbon is on board with the idea. Approached Wednesday and asked about starting vs. relieving, he said, ''Starting does not even enter my brain anymore. Hopefully, I'll be able to close for a long time. I could never start a game again in my life and I'd be happy."

 

Hansen could not be reached this week, despite multiple attempts. General manager Theo Epstein, meanwhile, will not commit to one role or the other for Hansen or Papelbon. For now, Epstein contends, Hansen is pitching three or four innings at a time as a means of helping him with ''pitch development, command, and 'pitchability.' "

 

''At Triple A, Craig will be used in a manner that is best for his long-term development," Epstein said in an e-mail. ''Currently, we have him in a structured relief role with extended outings. He responded well to his start. He may get some more starts not only to guarantee his innings but also because starting may be the best way to address some specific developmental goals."

 

Hansen, who worked exclusively from the stretch as a reliever, has begun pitching out of a full windup at times, and, Epstein said, ''has displayed good body control and mechanics."

 

Hansen's mechanics are an important component of this discussion, given that his short-arm motion could make starting difficult over the long term. During the Globe's poll of general managers and player personnel executives this spring, with the topic being Sox prospects, one team said of Hansen, ''We feel he's a dead bullpen guy because of the stress he puts on his delivery. For that reason he can't start."

 

Privately, the Sox concede that Hansen does not have a typical starter's delivery. However, the club also contends he has a motion better than what would fall under the classification of ''dead bullpen guy."

 

Schilling, for one, doesn't view Hansen's delivery as something that would rule out starting.

 

''There are guys who have horrible deliveries who start in the big leagues," he said. ''It's different for everybody."

 

Schilling, to make his point, on Wednesday motioned at a television in the Sox clubhouse showing a Dodgers game started by Brad Penny.

 

''The guy pitching for the Dodgers is the most stressful thrower in the big leagues, in my opinion," Schilling said.

 

Another issue would be Hansen's repertoire, and whether it's varied enough for him to pitch several times through the same lineup. He's always had a wicked fastball, with oomph and movement. Now he's working to reestablish the slider he threw so well in college, while adding a changeup.

 

''He has continued to show a dominant fastball, both in terms of velocity and life," Epstein said. ''His slider has been less consistent but is still at times a dominant strikeout pitch. He continues to work hard at the changeup, which is promising, although still a relatively new pitch for him.

 

''We're pleased with his development and look forward to him making an impact on our major league team in the future."

 

Maybe someday Hansen will start a game in Boston, then hand the ball over to Papelbon to save it. Unlikely? Maybe. Is it out of the question? No.

[Cityofchampions33]

I think they should start molding Hansen as a starter, pending how his change-up develops, and maybe developing a 4th pitch, something like a cutter? Or some other version of a fastball to keep hitters off a bit.

[jsinger121]

Hansen is starting again today against Scranton Wilkes-Barre

[monstah27]

okay. so through reading this thread I think, keep Paps as the dominant closer and really groom hansen and try and get him in there by next year. Schill will be gone in the next few years and we will need another shut down pitcher to go along with the other people we have.

 

I agree don't mess with Paps achievements.

[ksushi]

I disagree, I think Papelbon is an excellent short-term closer, but he was and still is potentially a 200 inning work horse. We have no reason to doubt his ability as a starter, and I think as good as this looks right now, having a guy like Papelbon in your rotation is exponentially more valuable than having him as a closer. Hansen has an ugly delivery, but could be an excellent 2 inning closer down the road. I'd take him as the closer of the future.

[Teddyballgame10]

I think the safe bet is Hansen closing and papelbon starting. Do you thnik Hansen has hte stamina to start. Mabey he can but I think the safe bet is what they were ment to do papelbon starting and hansen closing. If hansen got hurt starting i dont know what ide do