Tommy Hanson Outduels Big Leaguer.

Ex-Knight Ready for Show

Ex-Knight Tommy Hanson of Atlanta matched up with Detroit Tigers star pitcher Jeremy Bonderman last night at Gwinnett. The right-hander from Redlands, California outdueled the veteran as the Braves AAA club beat Toledo 7-2. Tommy tossed six shutout innings and only allowed one hit while striking out 9 to improve his record to 3-3 and lower his ERA to 1.51.

Hanson has made 9 starts and struck out 73 batters over 53 2/3 innings pitched and held the opposition to a paltry .160 batting average.

That's dominance.

Tommy is still waiting for his first taste of the major leagues, but that wait might not be that much longer if the "hibernator" (his Knights' nickname) continues to excel in AAA.

Hanson is widely considered the top pitching prospect in the minor leagues along with David Price of the Tampa Rays. The Braves 2008 Minor League Player of the Year was also named the 2008 Arizona Fall League Player of the Year. And started the season as Baseball America's #4 minor league prospect and #1 Braves prospect.

Last season, Tommy threw the Mississippi Braves' (AA) first no-hitter.

Following his freshman college season at Riverside CC, Tommy pitched for the then Aloha Knights. He emerged as the ace and set franchise records for innings pitched (78), ERA (0.92) and strikeouts (116) and was named the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League Pitcher of the Year.

Hanson, a 22nd round pick in the 2005 MLB draft, signed with Atlanta as a draft-and-follow after completing his sophomore year at RCC as he chose to go pro rather than continue his schooling at Arizona State.