Tommy Hanson's Pitching Mechanics

by gondeee on Dec 14, 2008 2:17 PM EST in Prospect Reviews Comment 22 comments

This post focuses on one of the newer SBN blogs, and the first SBN-Baseball blog to be added in quite a while; Driveline Mechanics examines the mechanics of various pitchers throughout the majors and minors. A couple of days ago they took a look at the pitching mechanics of our top pitching prospect Tommy Hanson (hat tip: VictorW). Here is a sample of the video used to analyze Hanson as well as some of the site's analysis:

In general, I prefer a pitcher who has an easy leg lift, a smooth equal and opposite glove arm, and a pendulum swing to the target. Also, I really like pitchers who finish aggressively. Tommy Hanson does all of the above with the exception of a slow tempo from maximal leg lift to footplant.

Good analysis, and I especially love the accompanying video snippets. There's a great side-by-side video of Hanson's fastball and curveball, one of many reasons Atlanta fans should be pretty excited about this young prospect.

I know we're trying to get that other ace pitcher this off-season, but if John Smoltz can come back and join the starting rotation, would a rotation of Smoltz, Vazquez, Jurrjens, Hanson, and Campillo really be that bad?

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Hasn't Smoltz said that if he comes back he won't be in the rotation?

by BullManUGA on Dec 14, 2008 2:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

no

by someguy917 on Dec 14, 2008 2:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's media speculation

Smoltz has never said definitively what he would do, just that he would do whatever his arm/shoulder allows him to do.

by scstrato on Dec 14, 2008 2:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That rotation wouldn't be bad...

But really, really unpredictable. I’d feel safer if we had at least one more pitcher, especially a number 2 starter (and of couse I’d love a number 1).

by someguy917 on Dec 14, 2008 2:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No

It wouldn’t be bad at all. Hopefully Smoltz comes back, but I wouldn’t hold a grudge if he did go to Boston. He deserves to go out on top.

My only concern is the amount of pressure this would put on Hanson. Not saying he’s not ready for it and i’m not saying he wouldn’t do well. Just that it’s risky and i’m not one to gamble when it comes to arms this golden!

by scstrato on Dec 14, 2008 2:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i agree… im fine if this is our planned rotation towards the end of the season, but i dont want it to be our april rotation

"We win today, that's two in a row... if we win tomorrow, that's called a winning streak. It has happened before..."

by Swo12bv on Dec 14, 2008 2:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also, why does the scoring bar say Mississippi @ whoever yet Hanson is wearing an Atlanta road jersey?

by BullManUGA on Dec 14, 2008 2:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

AFL

I believe this is footage from the AFL and the “MSS” actually stands for Mesa Solar Sox. I think the players wear their parent club’s jerseys out there.

by sunking1056 on Dec 14, 2008 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he doesnt have perfect mechanics. somewhat short arm action in the back and some effort in the delivery but overall, sound. you would think someone who is 6’6" would use more leverage but Hanson is not that type of pitcher

by jeg on Dec 14, 2008 2:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

how long is hudson out?
will we have him at all?

by yondaime4 on Dec 14, 2008 3:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If you go by the suggested recovery/rehab time he could be ready by early August, but whether or not he’s effective upon returning is simply a guess.

by scstrato on Dec 14, 2008 4:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

no that wouldnt be a bad rotation, could we win with these guys? yes we can
but with as much as the Phils and mets has built up their teams this offseason we need atleast one more dominate ace in our rotation

I think we should rush Hanson into things and end up with another Chuck James on our hands, if we wait til he’s ready we’ll get another JJ
he might be ready to come right now, but we just dont know yet

by bravesfan1047 on Dec 14, 2008 4:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think Chuck James was rushed, he just doesn’t have major league stuff until he learns another pitch, and studies his opponents.

by 10-4 on Dec 15, 2008 8:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

rotation

Probably expect at least one lefty in the rotation, Reyes for now with Glavine or one of the other free agents or trade targets as alternatives. So it will likely be Jurrjens, Vasquez, Campillo, and Reyes.

The other slot, the 5th to start but maybe the 1st by August, should be Morton, Smoltz, Hanson or eventually Hudson barring any new acquisitions.

If Smoltz has a couple of more good throwing sessions, I’d like to see some inventive work done to lock down his contract. He’s not the kind of guy who seeks to be paid not to work, but he should be amply rewarded if he can because he never pitches poorly.

I suggest a three year contract with a one million dollar base salary guarantee for each season against $400,000 for each start (including the postseason if that’s allowed in the rules), and $250,000 for each relief appearance.

by JimK on Dec 14, 2008 5:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

three years for a 41 year old pitcher?..that makes sense

"We win today, that's two in a row... if we win tomorrow, that's called a winning streak. It has happened before..."

by Swo12bv on Dec 14, 2008 8:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, three years

… because someone like Boston might well guarantee him one year for 3 million. Guarantee the same money, but make it clear we don’t care if he pitches very much in 2009 — it’s 2010 and 2011 when we have a chance, and if he can be with us and healthy enough to pitch in October of those years … anything can happen.

The unusual part of what I proposed is the pay-per-start and pay-per-appearance element. I don’t know if that’s been tried, but it seems appropriate for this circumstance.

by JimK on Dec 14, 2008 11:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yes

that would be an awful rotation.

have you noticed the huge number of ifs the braves have trotted out over the past few years? notably last year’s, if john smoltz and tom glavine can stay healthy and continue to produce like they were 10 years younger.

this new rotation might even be worse if-wise. If a 42-year old fastball-slider guy coming off shoulder surgery can lead a rotation? or if a guy who hasn’t pitched past AA can come in and dominate? If the extremely untested Jurrjens and Campillo can have another improbable season?

I’m not saying it won’t happen, but I was a lot more confident with this team didn’t rely on so many heavy ifs. it seems like this team always needs everything to go exactly right to be competitive, and let’s face it, that almost never happens.

by son.of.sourman on Dec 14, 2008 5:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

would a rotation of Smoltz, Vazquez, Jurrjens, Hanson, and Campillo really be that bad?

If you’re interested in winning, yes. Please no Japanese pitchers either.

by TradeAndruw on Dec 14, 2008 5:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Basically, we need a Peavy type to head this rotation…having to rely on a solid #1-#2 punch of Peavy/Vazquez is better than Smoltz/Vazquez.

by jwrocks on Dec 14, 2008 7:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

simple and to the point. Your right. We need a Peavy type. We fill our rotation later.

by Charmin519 on Dec 14, 2008 7:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome find VictorW

“Good analysis”

Admit that you have no idea what the man is talking about. I’ve never seen an intelligent post from you about pitching. What was the highest level you played ball, and what position?

by TradeAndruw on Dec 14, 2008 9:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Call me a super positive rose-colored-glasses type, and i think you have to be with this team currently to think it can win, but i’m still holding out hope that Charlie Morton is gonna be good for us. I’m still unsure on JoJo though.

by 10-4 on Dec 15, 2008 8:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs