Comments on: Prospect Notebook: Hanson Over-Shadowing Polanco, Kingham Rebounding

By: Ian Rothermund

Ian Rothermund — Thu, 31 May 2012 20:32:00 +0000

I’m not saying there’s no reason to be happy that he’s doing well. But there is a big difference in how to perceive the offensive numbers depending on which position he ends up at. It’s only WV, in low-A, all he’s really proven in that he’s inconsistent and when he’s hot can hit fastballs. I doubt other organizations handle their pitchers in drastically different ways from what the Pirates do. Taillon had a 4.50+ ERA in that league last year because all he did was throw fastballs.

By: Lee Young

Lee Young — Mon, 28 May 2012 13:58:00 +0000

I’ll get excited once he starts doing it in AA. That’ll be the true test. I am hopeful, but……….

By: szielinski

szielinski — Mon, 28 May 2012 13:18:00 +0000

“The truth is, at this point in his career, the projection of where he’ll
end up on defense is incredibly important about how we should look at
him in the now. If he really only projects as a 2nd baseman, then
there’s no reason to get as excited about his numbers in low-A.”

I’d say that we should get excited about his numbers in -A because his numbers are exciting. He’s 19 and a dominating hitter playing in a full season league. That’s exciting in itself.

By: Ian Rothermund

Ian Rothermund — Mon, 28 May 2012 04:17:00 +0000

Well the thought of the offensive numbers dropping is really the concern now isn’t it?

If he were to continue on and in 2 or 3 years is still hitting .340 and stealing bases with a little pop in his bat, they could put him anywhere. They key to his development is the Pirates organization obtaining that highly coveted, 2-way shortstop.

The truth is, at this point in his career, the projection of where he’ll end up on defense is incredibly important about how we should look at him in the now. If he really only projects as a 2nd baseman, then there’s no reason to get as excited about his numbers in low-A. Either way it just seems to be a waiting game at this point.

Just like keeping a guy in the rotation instead of the bullpen, even if he really projects as such; at this point in his career they don’t stand to lose much by keeping him where he’s at for now. Also, much like moving from the rotation to the bullpen, what is there to learn once you move over to second that you didn’t already know playing shortstop for so long? More than likely it would just be a feeling kind of thing, which wouldn’t require much time to reacclimate

By: szielinski

szielinski — Mon, 28 May 2012 00:52:00 +0000

A second baseman who generates OPS >.900, steals bases and can field is a very valuable player. If the 2012 Pirates have taught us anything, it has taught us to properly value offensive production. I’d not cry over a Hanson move to second base; I’d certainly cry if his offensive production collapsed.