Fresh start
Hansen gets another chance
MLB. This season is all about new beginnings for Craig Hansen.
In some ways this is a make-or-break campaign for the 24-year-old reliever after first appearing for Boston in a memorable stint at the end of the 2005 campaign. Hansen’s promise resulted in a blur-filled rush through the minor league system, and the youngster predictably flamed out during a brutal stint with the Sox in 2006 before a pedestrian minor league season in 2007.
Hansen entered this season knowing it was his final option year with the Sox — and his future could be in serious doubt if the hard sinking fastball and darting slider so prominent early in his career didn’t make a stunning return.
The Sox made a rather large statement about their faith in the young right-hander, however, when they chose to jettison Julian Tavarez on Monday. It seems the rejuvenated Hansen will get an anticipated audition to serve as the middle innings bridge to Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima.
“I see this as a new start,” Hansen said. “I have a deeper slider, and mechanics-wise I’ve been looking at making pitches in different counts. I feel like my mentality is a little better than it used to be.”
With Manny Delcarmen’s faltering and 42-year-old Mike Timlin’s inability to attain consistency, it could be Hansen’s turn to fill a relief role the Sox had envisioned for him all along.
Hansen has a 5.06 ERA after his first four appearances this season, but has again brandished the tumbling slider that made him the most “Major League-ready” amateur taken in the 2005 draft. The righty has tossed up zeroes in his last two appearances and has held right-handed hitters to a .182 batting average.
“From seeing him in Pawtucket last year, he’s been a bright spot and his slider has improved drastically,” said Sox catcher Kevin Cash. “He’s showing improved fastball command as well, and it’s exciting to see him out there right now.”
That excitement will only grow if the 6-foot-6, 230-pounder can ease the burden currently being placed on ’pen stalwarts like Okajima and Papelbon.
