Craig Hansen

[ORS]

Any word on how long he will work-out in Ft. Myers, and when/where he will make his first appearance in the farm system?

[CrespoBlows]

I'm assuming 8-10 days, and then he'll probably go to Portland to take Mark Deschens place (he was promoted, when Delcramen was promoted)

[CrespoBlows]

Pitches 1 inning in the GCL, he'll most likely be promoted to Portland soon.

 

Line: 1 IP 0 H 2 K's

[yankeessuck013]

good start

[yankeessuck013]

nice to hear that he was throwing 94 mph consistently after not pitching for 7 weeks

[26 to 6]

:rant: i still cant believe we passed up on this guys for a f***in Shortstop :dunno: . The last thing we need is a damn shortstop <_ :rant:>

[RedSoxRooter]

What does this guy even look like? What does his delivery look like? Who does he remind anyone of??? ugghhhhh

[yankeessuck013]

Some people have compared him to a young brad lidge.

 

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

[YankeeDoodle]

Quite a compliment.

[CrespoBlows]

I think he's future is in the starting rotation. Theo and the Trio, said that they planned to convert him into a starter, as soon as he was signed. I guess that was the orginal plan, but it took too long to get him signed. He may break into the big league club, as a reliever, then become a starter in Spring Traning. Hansen has started only one game in his career at St. John's, and will most likely need to add another pitch to become a starter.

[ORS]

I see the potential if he adds a pitch, but I've always questioned the idea of fixing anything that isn't broken. A key component to success today is the "light's out" closer. Look at the Yankees. Four WS titles in five years, and they probably only win two of them without Rivera.

[riverside sluggers]

Im set on hoping for Hansen being the future closer for the Sox, more so if Foulke comes back and acts like a dud again that we saw in the first half. Besides that; Papelbon, Lester, and Sanchez are all being groomed to become starters for the Sox

[example1]

I suppose 4 young starters would be good too, but good closers don't just grow on trees. I agree that we shouldn't fix something that isn't broken, especially watching Papelbon being used in relief now too. If he's going to be a starter then keep him starting, unless he's going to be a reliever this year (hopefully he will be).

[riverside sluggers]

They would only really put Papelbon in the bullpen if it was a really good reason, um yea kind of their plan considering bullpen needs help in the competitive month of September. chances are he will be back in Boston late August/early September. It has been confirmed by Tito, Gordon Edes, NESN, etc

[Sox Fan on Cape]

They would only really put Papelbon in the bullpen if it was a really good reason, um yea kind of their plan considering bullpen needs help in the competitive month of September. chances are he will be back in Boston late August/early September. It has been confirmed by Tito, Gordon Edes, NESN, etc

 

Yea, I think the concern is the total innings pitched. He was a reliever in college, and they have been trying to gradually stretch him out. But can , and I think will be, valuable during the stretch run, as well as, next year and thereafter.

[riverside sluggers]

i can see him in a starter #5 position possibly next season as their plan is. For 2005, its just to add depth to the bullpen. If Wells and Remy have both said they got flashbacks to when Clemens first started, it bodes very well #58 could become the ace years ahead.

[26 to 6]

I see the potential if he adds a pitch, but I've always questioned the idea of fixing anything that isn't broken. A key component to success today is the "light's out" closer. Look at the Yankees. Four WS titles in five years, and they probably only win two of them without Rivera.

possibly none, remember, he was vital in getting to the postseason in '96

[26 to 6]

i think they should leave him in the pen, hes obviously been successful there, if you start him, he pitches more innings, batters have more of a chance to see him work, and he could expose his flaws easily. Thats why Mo never worked out as a starter. Plus, hes pretty much always been a reliever, and teaching someone a new pitch isnt that easy, teaching is one thing, but he has to be good with the pitch he was taught, and thas not a guarantee.

 

Like Tek said, its not broke, so dont fix it

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Just an update on Hansen's last game:

 

2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 K

[soxie thefangirl]

Nice!

[Sox Fan on Cape]

I hope they don't rush this kid, going to be the real thing.

[riverside sluggers]

just build him up steadily like they did with their other hot prospects, he has the ability to someday be a lights out closer such as the Keith Foulke of 2004

[Sox Fan on Cape]

just build him up steadily like they did with their other hot prospects, he has the ability to someday be a lights out closer such as the Keith Foulke of 2004

True, but even better, Foulke never was throwing in the mid nineties and have three pitches.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

True, but even better, Foulke never was throwing in the mid nineties and have three pitches.

 

what pitches does this kid have??

[example1]

I guess one thing I don't understand is all this "rushing him to the bigs" stuff. I understand not wanting him to be completely out of his element, but isn't one of the arguments about drafting college players that they have already had a substantial period of growing in college? I mean, there are a lot of major leaguers who find success at ages 20,21,22 after having been in the minors for a few years. It seems that the whole point of getting college guys is that they can join MLB more quickly. Am I totally wrong on this? I mean, if a team can draft a 19 year old and have him playing by 22-23, OR they can draft a college kid and have him pitching by the time he's 24-25-26, then isn't that really just wasting time?

 

I think Hansen should be ready soon. I think Papelbon should be ready soon. I understand coddling these guys a little bit IF they are really the future of the sox, but if they're good enough to be the future of the sox then they could certainly be given a shot when we're currently looking at guys like Jeremi Gonzalez from the pen.

[CrespoBlows]

what pitches does this kid have??

 

Fastball, Slider, and a changeup to keep hitters off balance.

[DrewDaGreat]

When's he gonna move up?

[Sox Fan on Cape]

I guess one thing I don't understand is all this "rushing him to the bigs" stuff. I understand not wanting him to be completely out of his element, but isn't one of the arguments about drafting college players that they have already had a substantial period of growing in college? I mean, there are a lot of major leaguers who find success at ages 20,21,22 after having been in the minors for a few years. It seems that the whole point of getting college guys is that they can join MLB more quickly. Am I totally wrong on this? I mean, if a team can draft a 19 year old and have him playing by 22-23, OR they can draft a college kid and have him pitching by the time he's 24-25-26, then isn't that really just wasting time?

 

I think Hansen should be ready soon. I think Papelbon should be ready soon. I understand coddling these guys a little bit IF they are really the future of the sox, but if they're good enough to be the future of the sox then they could certainly be given a shot when we're currently looking at guys like Jeremi Gonzalez from the pen.

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.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

When's he gonna move up?

When they think he's ready.

[elsrbueno]

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.

 

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.