Devern Hansack

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #23 prospect in 2007
  Hansack signed with the Astros in 1999 and advanced to low Class A before being released in spring training five years later. Houston had discovered that he was more than four years older than originally believed, but they cut him for undisclosed off-field reasons. He spent two years as a lobster fisherman in his native Nicaragua until Red Sox vice president of international scouting Craig Shipley spotted him pitching at the 2005 World Cup in the Netherlands. Hansack signed as a minor league free agent and spent most of the first half of 2006 as a reliever in Double-A. He pitched himself into Portland's rotation and won the game that clinched the Eastern League championship. Hansack's season got even better, when he was promoted to Boston to make two starts. On the final day of the season, he twirled a fiveinning no-hitter against the Orioles. Hansack's fastball sits at 90-92 mph and peaks at 94, and he gets swings and misses with his slider. He likes to vary his arm angles in a manner reminiscent of Orlando Hernandez, making him deceptive. He pitched nearly year-round in Nicaragua during his two-year layoff from pro ball, a testament to the resiliency of his arm. He's a fearless competitor who appreciates his second chance and has addressed his off-field issues. Hansack's changeup is a fringy third pitch that he was reluctant to use in the minors, though he seemed to trust it more in the majors. Not only will he come to big league camp in 2007, there's a chance that he could fill Boston's void at closer. More likely, he'll contribute as a middle reliever and spot starter.