Infielder Alen Hanson has announced on his Instagram account that he has agreed to a deal with the Giants. It’s a minor-league pact, per Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter); h/t SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo, via Twitter, for noticing Hanson’s post.
Hanson, 25, was once viewed as one of the game’s hundred or so top prospects. The switch-hitter has continued to advance, first reaching the majors in 2016, but analysts have soured on his outlook along the way.
In 2017, Hanson received his first extended run in the majors. He was claimed off waivers in early June by the White Sox from the Pirates after a rough start to the season. Over his 175 plate appearances in Chicago, Hanson produced a .231/.276/.375 batting line with four home runs and nine steals.
The Sox non-tendered Hanson after the season, so clearly that rebuilding organization was not convinced of his future. But he did show quality baserunning ability while playing all over the diamond — second, short, third, and all three outfield positions — so perhaps there’s still a possibility that Hanson could turn into a useful utilityman if he can make some strides at the plate.
This is the exact kind of player the giants use as there defensive utility player. I like the signing, no risk.
Lol
Agree liked his speed last year with WSox can be a good platoon with switch hitting etc
90% of their team is judy hitters. From 2010 til now. The marco scutaros , the Aubrey huffs(he was 50/50 and Connie Gillespie was the biggest judy that came out of the woodwork.
No one has a clue who Alen Hanson is but he’ll hit .450 in spring training and be the starter at 2nd. They haven’t had a really great player at 2nd since Jeff Kent. Joe Panik is okay but he’s in the judy category.
Agreed. Except they traded Matt Williams for Jeff Kent, and I believe it was the first big trade the current front office made. He definitely fits the mold. I was thinking more recently like arias or Adrianza. Although neither worked out all that well it was the same type of player with the same role. Agreed about panik, he’s a good defensive partner for Crawford and those two have made some once in a life plays, but overall panik is disappointing.
Are you saying they are a bunch of singles hitters? If so, just say that. Using the word judy is ridiculous.
And all those “judy” hitters are World Champions by the way.
Not singles hitters judy hitters. Like Kiké Hernandez judy hitter. 3 home runs in game 5 of the NLCS. Chris Taylor judy hitter. 3 hits the entire world series.
Really stoked about this move. The 25 man roster should be set now, IMO.
lol
What is so funny?
MMMMMMMBOP
This is an underrated comment
You feel better having said that?
Yes but it may have something to do with the huge bowl of ice cream I just scarfed down
Don’t you need a CF
Who is their center fielder now?
As of now gorkys Hernandez until they sign someone or promote duggar
Are you saying they shouldn’t make any moves until they address CF?
Oh yea there ready for the playoffs now.
Learn the proper tenses of their, there, they’re little kid.
It’s a zero risk, depth signing you troll.
I could correct your punctuation right here but I agree with what you are saying.
Lol you’re the only troll here buddy. “Tenses” refers to time. Hence the past tense. Pretty sure their, they’re and there don’t refer to time lol. Go back to mommy’s basement. Your hot pocket is ready.
You feel better having said that?
“There ready for the postseason” is correct?” Go back to fingering yourself.
Per your usual friday night routine, internet tough gal.
You guys all suck. Collectively.
Thanks for the entertainment. Quality laughs lol
Lol I never said he was correct in what he said… just think it’s funny that you went out of your way to call him a little kid, when in fact you were being just as much of an idiot. Finger myself? And you called him a little kid? Jesus Christ dude do you want me to give you a wet willy too? Gtfo of here. You’re about as dumb as it gets.
If it’s from the third-person omniscient point of view (as if narrating Bobby Evans pondering to himself whilst being fingered on Friday night), then perhaps it could work. Such as, “Oh yeah! There… ready for the playoffs now.”
Stop before u get a wedgie
Screw you buddy hot pockets rule!!!!!
A wedgie? What is this 1985? Are you goina wear your bleached denim vest too chump?
Dilly, Dilly!
Man that just made me feel old. Lol
Dilly, Dilly!
Just curious why you put a comma between risk and depth.
So you don’t know what tenses means and don’t know how to use a comma correctly?
FYI kiddo, if you’re using a comma to break up a sentence there are rules, none of which you met the criteria for.
Oxford comma or nah?
They’re
“Oh yea there (sic) ready for the playoffs now.”
Do you make this same comment when any other team makes a no risk, minor league depth, signing?
I’ve never seen so much anger and jealousy pointed at the giants. Why do you hate yourselves so much?
Good for him. Hope he can snag a roster spot and does well with them. I was always rooting for him when he was with the Pirates. If he can figure out the hitting (easier said than done lol) he’s got a lot of talent and could be a good player.
Thank you for the first legitimate post in this thread lol
Can he play at least average outfield? Might be a solid guy to platoon with pence.
He really just started playing outfield in games two seasons ago in AAA with the Pirates to add some defensive versatility so there will be times he takes a bad route to the ball and looks like he’s still learning the position, also doesn’t really have a great arm. I’d say center is probably his most realistic outfield position because he has pretty good speed to be able to cover ground but his arm and lack of consistency with the bat prevent him from being a great option in a corner. If I remember correctly he led the International League two years in a row for fielding percentage at second and could potentially handle shortstop in a pinch if either Panik or Crawford land on the DL.
Lost Adrainza, got and lost Velma, traded away Arroyo, so now banking on this guy.
Adrianza was The worst kind of crutch for an nl team, his defense made him a desirable defensive replacement but his offense was so bad that he was useless as a pinch hitter so his roster spot often hurt more than helped.
Disagree about Adrianza. Giant’s fans were ready to give up on the guy after barely more than 100 ABs. He needed more plating time, and in 2017 he got the most playing time in his career, and he wasn’t terrible. He lacks power as most glove first, utility guys do, but he hit .265, and got on base at a .325 percentage. He could have walked more and struck out less, but his 90 OPS+ and 84 wRC+ were certainly better than Hanson’s 74 OPS+ and 59 wRC+.
He had well over 300 PA for the Giants and barely hit the mendoza line and nearly quadruples his walks with strikeouts. The Giants can only put up with so much after multiple years of failure.
Seriously? 300 PAs over 4 seasons is not regular playing time. It’s a bunch of small samples.
Had there not been a roster crunch he would still be with the Giants. No-nothing fans giving up on him is not the same as the Giants doing so.
Those are all mediocre players. The 25th roster spot on a 98 loss team is something you can replace easily
They same can said for the 25th roster spot on a 104 win team.
Right, the Giants are “banking” on this guy. Forget Posey, Bum, Cueto, Longoria, Crawford, Panik, Belt, etc. If Alen Hanson doesn’t deliver the Giants are screwed.
Giants are screwed anyway, adding this guy just makes it funnier.
If your goal was to lower the level of discourse here, congratulations, you’ve succeeded.
Yomiuri?
Good base runner, decent infielder,not to good in the outfield or with the wood !
That’s what she said!
Doesn’t draw rave reviews for hos defence in OF!!!!
It seems as if this offseason has had more minor league signings than mlb contracts handed out.
Most do.