Alen Hanson
Hanson with the Japan Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2023
Free agent
Second baseman / Outfielder
Born: (1992-10-22) October 22, 1992
La Romana, Dominican Republic
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: May 17, 2016, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
NPB: May 16, 2023, for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Batting average.232
Home runs12
Runs batted in55
NPB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.144
Home runs4
Runs batted in9
Teams

Alen Rery Hanson Michel (born October 22, 1992) is a Dominican professional baseball infielder who is a free agent. A second baseman and outfielder, Hanson made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 17, 2016, and has also played for the Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, and Toronto Blue Jays and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

Professional career

Pittsburgh Pirates

Minor leagues

Hanson with the West Virginia Power in 2012

On July 14, 2009, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Hanson as an international free agent for $90,000.[1] In 2010, Hanson played his first year of rookie-level Minor League Baseball as a member of the Gulf Coast League Pirates.[2] In the 68 games he played in 2010, Hanson hit .324 with 28 runs batted in (RBIs), seven triples, and 20 stolen bases.[2] In 2011, Hanson again played for the GCL Pirates. In 52 games, Hanson hit .263 with 35 RBIs, seven triples, and 24 stolen bases.[2] Hanson's seven triples led the Gulf Coast League in 2011.[3]

In July 2012, Hanson was named the 40th-best prospect in baseball by Baseball America in their Midseason Top 50 Prospects List.[4] Hanson spent the 2012 season with the Pirates' Class A affiliate, the West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League. Hanson had a strong season for the Power. He played 124 games and hit .309 with 16 home runs, 62 RBIs, 13 triples, 39 stolen bases, 55 walks, and 99 runs scored.[2] He was named an All-Star.[5]

Prior to the 2013 season, Hanson was ranked as the 54th-best prospect in baseball by MLB.com,[6] and the 61st-best prospect by Baseball America.[7] Hanson began the 2013 season with the High-A Bradenton Marauders. In 92 games with the Marauders, Hanson hit .281 with seven home runs, 48 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases.[2] On July 28, Hanson was promoted to the Pirates' Double-A affiliate, the Altoona Curve.[8] In 35 games with the Curve during the 2013 season, Hanson hit .255 with 10 RBIs, 6 stolen bases, and just a single home run.[2] Hanson was added to the Pirates' 40-man roster on November 20, 2013.[9]

Hanson spent the entire 2014 season with the Curve. In 118 games, he hit .280 with 11 home runs, 64 RBIs, 12 triples, and 25 stolen bases.[2] In August 2014, the Pirates announced that they would be moving Hanson, primarily a shortstop, to second base.[10] At the time of the announcement, Hanson had committed 61 errors in 227 games in 2013 and 2014.[10] Larry Broadway, the Pirates' Director of Minor League Operations, indicated that the move was to increase Hanson's versatility, saying, "we still believe he can play shortstop and believe he will play shortstop for us at some point in the future. Adding this dimension to his game will give him additional opportunity to impact our organization at the Major League level when he is ready."[10]

Hanson spent the entire 2015 season with the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians. Hanson played 117 games for the Indians and hit .263 with six home runs, 43 RBIs, and 12 triples.[2] Hanson also stole 35 bases, tying his personal best from 2012.[2]

Entering the 2016 season, MLB.com ranked Hanson as the 10th-best prospect in the Pirates organization,[11] and the 6th-best prospect amongst second basemen.[12] Hanson began the 2016 season with the Indianapolis Indians.[13]

Major leagues

On May 16, 2016, the Pirates promoted Hanson to the major league club after Starling Marte went on paternity leave.[13][14][15] Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said that Hanson would return to the minors when Marte returned.[13] Hurdle noted that Hanson would likely be recalled again later in the season, but still had yet to prove himself in Triple-A.[13] Hanson said that, when he called his mother to tell her the news, she accidentally hung up and celebrated, while Hanson waited in silence for nearly 10 minutes.[13]

On May 17, Hanson made his big league debut, striking out in a pinch-hit appearance.[16]

On May 18, Hanson recorded his first MLB hit. Entering the game in the 5th inning as a pinch hitter, Hanson reached base on an infield hit. Hanson said after the game that he planned to send the ball to his home in the Dominican Republic as a present for his mother.[17]

Hanson, out of minor league options, opened the 2017 season on the Pirates MLB roster.[18] He was designated for assignment on June 2.[19]

Chicago White Sox

Hanson with the White Sox in 2017.

On June 9, 2017 the Chicago White Sox claimed Hanson off waivers.[20] Hanson was added to the team's 25-man roster the following day.[21] On December 1, 2017, Hanson was non-tendered and became a free agent.

San Francisco Giants

Hanson signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on December 22, 2017, receiving a non-roster invitation to spring training. He began the 2018 season with the Sacramento River Cats of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.[22] After a hand injury to starting second baseman Joe Panik, Hanson was promoted by the Giants on April 28 after hitting .403 in 62 at bats for the River Cats with five doubles and three home runs.[23]

On March 28, 2019, Hanson was designated for assignment after failing to make the Opening Day roster.[24]

Toronto Blue Jays

On April 2, 2019, the Giants traded Hanson, Derek Law, and Juan De Paula to the Toronto Blue Jays for Kevin Pillar.[25] Hanson was called up by the Blue Jays on April 4.[26] He was designated for assignment on May 3.[27] He was outrighted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on May 7.[28] Hanson was released by the organization on August 3, 2019. He ended his stint with Toronto hitting only .163 in 18 games.

Seattle Mariners

On January 23, 2020, Hanson signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners that included an invitation to spring training. He was released by the Mariners organization on June 25, 2020. On June 17, 2021, Hanson re-signed with the Mariners on a new minor league contract (Tacoma Rainiers).[29] He elected free agency on November 7, 2021.

Ibaraki Astro Planets

In March 2023, Hanson signed with the Ibaraki Astro Planets of Japan's Baseball Challenge League for the 2023 season.[30]

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

On May 8, 2023, Hanson signed with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[31] He became a free agent following the 2023 season.

International career

In 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 Hanson played winter ball with the Toros del Este in the Dominican Professional Baseball League.

In 2020, Hanson was selected to the French national baseball team roster for the 2021 World Baseball Classic qualifier in Arizona. Though born in the Dominican Republic, he is eligible to play for Team France because of his French ancestry.[32]

References

  1. ↑ "Pirates prospect Alen Hanson convincing many he's big-league bound". Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Alen Hanson". Fangraphs.com. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Gulf Coast League: 2011 Batting Leaders".
  4. ↑ "Midseason Top 50 Prospects List". July 5, 2012.
  5. ↑ Williams, Tim (August 30, 2012). "Polanco and Hanson Selected as 2012 SAL All-Stars".
  6. ↑ "Cole among four Bucs prospects in Top 100". Pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com. January 30, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Prospects: Rankings: Top 100 Prospects: 2013 Top 100 Prospects". BaseballAmerica.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Alen Hanson Promoted To Altoona". Pirates Prospects. July 29, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Polanco among four added to 40-man roster". MLB.com. November 20, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  10. 1 2 3 Williams, Tim (August 2, 2014). "Pirates Moving Alen Hanson to Second Base". Piratesprospects.com. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  11. ↑ "MLB.com 2016 Prospect Watch – Pittsburgh Pirates". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  12. ↑ "MLB.com 2016 Prospect Watch – Second Basemen". MLB.com. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Berry, Adam (May 17, 2016). "Bucs prospect Hanson gets long-awaited callup". Pirates.com. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Prospect Alen Hanson expected to be called up to join Pirates for first time". Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  15. ↑ "LF Marte goes on paternity list for Pirates". May 16, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Joyce, Niese lead Pirates to 8–5 win over Braves". ESPN.com. May 17, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Pirates spoil Snitker's debut as manager, top Braves 12–9". ESPN.com. May 17, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  18. ↑ Biertempfel, Rob (April 2, 2017). "Pirates put Hanson, Gosselin on opening day roster". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  19. ↑ Bill Brink (June 2, 2017). "Pirates designate Alen Hanson for assignment". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  20. ↑ Rick Tarsitano (June 9, 2017). "White Sox claim Alen Hanson off waivers from Pirates". WGN-TV. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  21. ↑ Scott Krinch (June 10, 2017). "White Sox add Alen Hanson to 25-man roster". CSN Chicago. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Panik may need thumb surgery; Mac also on DL". MLB.com.
  23. ↑ "Panik, Williamson hit DL, Giants recall Alen Hanson". April 28, 2018.
  24. ↑ "San Francisco Giants set Opening Day roster, DFA Mac Williamson, Alen Hanson and Tom Murphy". March 28, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Giants land Pillar from Blue Jays for 3 players". MLB.com. April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Blue Jays add Hanson, Brito; option Alford, Reid-Foley to triple-A". Sportsnet. April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Blue Jays select contract of RHP Derek Law, DFA Alen Hanson". May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  28. ↑ Godfrey, Hayden (May 7, 2019). "Blue Jays: Alen Hanson clears waivers, heads to AAA". Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Mariners Sign Alen Hanson". June 18, 2021.
  30. ↑ "アレン・ハンソン 選手入団のお知らせ (Announcement of Allen Hanson joining the team)". Ibaraki Astro Planets (in Japanese). March 24, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Fighters acquire switch-hitting infielder Alen Hanson". japantimes.co.jp. May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  32. ↑ Morosi, Jon Paul (March 4, 2020). "Bochy puts France on map as WBC manager". MLB.com. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
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