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Monday, September 24, 2018

Alen Hanson gets back-to-back starts, likely still in Giants’ plans

ST. LOUIS — Alen Hanson started just twice between Sept. 8 and Sept. 21, making some fans wonder if the Giants really viewed him as part of their future. With his speed, left-handed pop and defensive versatility, it’s hard to imagine the 25-year-old not being on the team next year.

He lost playing time because regular second baseman Joe Panik got healthier and the organization wanted to give Chris Shaw a look in left field.

Hanson started at second base Saturday, then made his Giants debut in right field Sunday because manager Bruce Bochy wanted his bat in the lineup. Hanson did fine in right.

On the one hand, he fell to Earth rather hard after a hot start to his time with the Giants, and he has some pretty clear weaknesses (he avoids the walk like mobsters duck process servers)- however, given the quality of most of the rest of the team….

QLE Posted: September 24, 2018 at 05:15 AM | 6 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: alen hanson, giants, the future

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1. Der-K: at 10% emotional investment Posted: September 24, 2018 at 09:40 AM (#5750439)

He's also had a MASSIVE platoon advantage this year (clueless against lefties), which is not consistent with his prior track record (he's a switch hitter). He's a decent bench piece - can play all over, fast, starting to show pop - if they don't keep him around, they ought to be able to flip him for something (though small).

2. Rennie's Tenet Posted: September 24, 2018 at 01:20 PM (#5750649)

Mobsters have lawyers, who accept process routinely.

Edit - Although there was this guy:

Lost in Sicily

3. flournoy Posted: September 24, 2018 at 02:34 PM (#5750731)

The Giants' offense looks terrible. The only guys with OPS+es above 100 and at least 50 plate appearances are Buster Posey (who's injured), Andrew McCutchen (who was apparently traded away, which I hadn't noticed), and Brandon Belt (whose 108 is pretty unimpressive for a first baseman, and is also injured). Most of the regulars are 30+ years old. Any reason not to expect them to be terrible for the foreseeable future?

I will also note that Alen Hanson is nearly 26, never hit that much above A-ball, and was a waiver claim and a non-tender as recently as last year. The premise that he's a building block for the future doesn't speak well of the organization's chances.

4. Der-K: at 10% emotional investment Posted: September 24, 2018 at 02:36 PM (#5750732)

5. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: September 24, 2018 at 02:48 PM (#5750748)

2014 Giants:
Buster Posey (age 27)
Brandon Belt (27)
Joe Panik (23)
Brandon Crawford (27)
Pablo Sandoval (27)
Mike Morse (32)
Angel Pagan (32)
Hunter Pence (31)
Gregor Blanco (30)

Won World Series

2018 Giants:
Buster Posey (age 31)
Brandon Belt (31)
Joe Panik (27)
Brandon Crawford (31)
Evan Longoria (32)
Hunter Pence (35)
Gorkys Hernandez (30)
Andrew McCutchen (31)
Alen Hanson (25)

4th place

6. Walt Davis Posted: September 24, 2018 at 05:30 PM (#5750890)

I'd forgotten about Longoria. He's had another slight dip in offense, seems to be settling in around average defensively. WAR still puts him at average overall but his HoF chances are getting very low now. He had 50 WAR from 22-31 which basically puts you in the discussion but he probably needed to remain a 3-WAR player for another 5 years to garner serious consideration while now it look like he'll be lucky to reach 60 WAR. Too bad, he was a healthy Scott Rolen for his first 6 years (36 WAR).

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Monday, September 24, 2018

Alen Hanson gets back-to-back starts, likely still in Giants’ plans

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