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.

Braves Call Up Top Pitching Prospect

By Scout Hoffman (seniorbeisbol(at)gmail.com) profantasybaseball.com With the realization that Jo-Jo Reyes and his 6+ ERA were not long for the rotation, the Atlanta Braves have sent him to the bullpen. This move makes room for highly touted prospect, Kris Medlen to make his major league debut with a start on Tuesday at home against Colorado. Sorry Tommy Hansen enthusiasts, it is not your time yet. Medlen was voted the Braves number nine prospect in their system by Baseball America prior to this season. His numbers in AAA this year have done nothing to discount this statement. For the International League Gwinnet Braves, Medlen has posted a microscopic ERA of 0.96 and fanned 44 in while going 5-0 over six starts. His 2008 stats were equally impressive as he struck out 120 hitters in 120.1 innings with an ERA of 3.52 in AA ball. At 5’10” he is not your prototypical power armed righty, but Roy Oswalt and Tim Lincecum have proved that you do not need to be 6’6” to bring mid to low 90’s heat and be successful. Scouts say that he has command of three plus pitches; a fastball, a curveball, and a change. He has put a lot of work into developing his change and if he can use it effectively in the majors he could become a solid pitcher, but not quite an ace. Throughout the years, the Braves farm system has certainly proved that they can develop pitchers, so it should come as no shock that they have two potential studs coming up this close together. Medlen is certainly worth a grab in all NL-Only leagues and larger mixed leagues for those in need of strikeouts. Tommy Hansen has the better upside between the two starters, and no one knows what will happen when and if Tom Glavine returns healthy. I cannot see both Hansen and Medlen in the rotation this year (barring injuries) because that would mean sending Kenshin Kawakami and his eight million dollar salary to the bullpen. There is a chance that Medlen could be sent to the bullpen or to the minors, so if you do grab him you will have to monitor his situation closely.