D.J. Hanson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #14 prospect in 2004
  Added to the 40-man roster in the offseason, Hanson has the stuff to rival all the pitchers ranked ahead of him but doesn't have the tools of the likes of Dustin McGowan, Francisco Rosario, Vince Perkins or Brandon League. Besides being just 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, Hanson has an injury history, having had knee surgery twice to repair damage stemming from a spring-training collision in 2001 with Alvin Morrow (now Toronto's area scout in Southern California). Hanson also has a quick arm and big-time stuff. His fastball sits in the 89-93 mph range, and he can run it up to 94 or 95 on occasion. One such occasion was an Aug. 12 start at low Class A Charleston. He struck out 14 in a complete-game seven-hitter, and his last pitch registered 95. Hanson also throws a hard power slider in the mid- to upper 80s and a curveball with surprising depth coming from a short righthander. He was dominant down the stretch, giving up just two earned runs in his last 50 innings, showing his small frame can handle a full season. His protection on the 40-man roster means he'll be pushed to Double-A in 2004, as the Jays want to see just what they have.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #18 prospect in 2003
  The 1999 draft was a heady one for the state of Washington, with eight players--lefthander Ty Howington; righthanders Gerik Baxter, Jeff Heaverlo and Jason Stumm; catcher Ryan Doumit; infielder Jason Repko; and outfielders Jason Cooper and B.J. Garbe--drafted in the first two rounds. Because of injuries, ineffectiveness and Baxter's death in a car crash, Hanson might turn out to be better than any of them. Hanson missed 2001 after injuring his knee in a spring-training collision with Alvin Morrow (now on the practice squad of the NFL's Cleveland Browns) and had postseason surgery in 2002 to clean up scar tissue. His stuff, however, is undeniable. Hanson has a quick, strong arm and runs his fastball up to 95 mph. He pitches in the 92-94 range with explosive movement at times. His curveball is a power offering, thrown in the mid-80s, and has helped him average nearly a strikeout per inning as pro. If Hanson stays healthy, he has a chance to move up to low Class A with other members of Auburn's talented staff, such as Brandon League, David Bush and Sandy Nin.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked New York-Penn League #7 prospect in 2002
  Hanson doesn't garner the same hype that his higher-profile teammates Brandon League and Russ Adams do, but some managers felt he was Auburn’s best pitcher. "He's more polished than League," Ortegon said. "If I had one game to play to win, I'd go with Hanson." Hanson, who missed all of 2001 after tearing an ACL in a collision with 6-foot-4, 240-pound Alvin Morrow during an offseason minicamp, had his season cut short by another knee injury this year. Before he was sidelined, he showed off a 90-95 mph fastball and 80-82 mph hammer curve.

• December, 2001 Scouting Report
  Hanson doesn't garner the same hype that his higher-profile teammates Brandon League and Russ Adams do, but some managers felt he was Auburn’s best pitcher. "He's more polished than League," Ortegon said. "If I had one game to play to win, I'd go with Hanson." Hanson, who missed all of 2001 after tearing an ACL in a collision with 6-foot-4, 240-pound Alvin Morrow during an offseason minicamp, had his season cut short by another knee injury this year. Before he was sidelined, he showed off a 90-95 mph fastball and 80-82 mph hammer curve.