Goodbye Tom, Hello Tommy

by Scout Hoffman (seniorbeisbol@gmail.com) http://www.profantasybaseball.com/ In a bit of a suprising move, future Hall Of Famer Tom Glavine was released by the Atlanta Braves. If Glavine can prove himself healthy, the 300 game winner will likely find a job somewhere in the National League. Wherever he goes he will surely not provide nearly the fantasy impact as his successor, Tommy Hanson. Hanson is the prize pitcher in the Braves system. He is a 22 year old, 22nd round draft pick from 2005 who has dominated at every levelds. His 6'5, 220 pound frame is a prototypical of a power pitcher, and that is just what Hanson is. His fastball touches 94 mph, his curveball has been called one of the best in the Minor Leagues, and he has a plus changeup. His Minor League numbers are nothing short of spectacular this year. He has a 1.69 ERA and an amazing 90 stikeouts and only 17 walks in 66.1 innings. He has struck out more than a batter per inning in every level of Minor League ball he has pitched, and was the talk of the Arizona Fall League last year as he carved up hitters to the tune of a .105 batting average against. This kid is the real deal. If for some reason he is still available in your league he is worth a waiver claim in any format. He will make his Major League debut on Saturday at home against Milwaukee, and should be in the rotation for the remainder of the year. His addition sends the other Braves top prospect, Kris Medlen, to the bullpen for the time being. Hanson should have a similar impact as David Price to the fantasy world. Expect high K numbers and respectable ratios. With the addition of Nate McLouth and the subtraction of K-machine Jordan Schafer, the Braves offense should provide Hanson with ample run support to pick up double digit wins over the last four months of the season.