Alec

Hansen

Hansen was a second-round selection in the 2016 MLB Draft out of the University of Oklahoma and posted a promising 2.80 ERA with 191 strikeouts across 141 1/3 innings (26 starts) during his first full minor league season in 2017. But a series of injuries arose soon after, and then came the command issues. He walked 37 batters in 22 1/3 innings of relief last summer at Double-A Birmingham.

Helena third baseman Trever Morrison broke up Hansen’s no-hit bid on a sixth-inning single. He issued three walks while throwing 59 of his season-high 87 pitches for strikes. The 21-year-old hasn’t allowed an earned run over his last four starts and now sports an absurd 1.23 ERA in seven outings since joining the Voyagers last month. Morrison has clearly outgrown rookie ball and should receive a call-up to Low-A Kannapolis in the very near future.

He recorded four strikeouts and issued three walks for the Voyagers, who fell to Ogden in extra innings. Hansen hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last three appearances and now carries a remarkable 1.19 ERA in nine starts this year. Opponents have hit just .100 with 57 strikeouts against him during that span. The White Sox selected the former Oklahoma Sooner in the second round of this year’s draft.

Hansen gave up just two hits in the start, and he walked just one while striking out 10. To put it bluntly, Hansen is just way too talented to be facing hitters in the Sally League. He has three swing-and-miss pitches, and the fastball gets up to 98 mph. Part of the reason he’s down there is the depth of pitching the White Sox have, but after 92 strikeouts in just under 72 innings, it’s time for a challenge.

Hansen allowed three runs, with only one of them being earned, and he walked just one hitter. With a borderline 80 fastball and two swing-and-miss breaking balls, the 2016 second-round pick is just too good for the lower levels. Because of the pitching depth in the Chicago system he may have to wait a bit for a promotion, but there’s no question he’s ready to face Double-A hitters. He’s as underrated as any fantasy pitching prospect in baseball.

Amazingly, Hansen was able to allow just two runs despite putting nine on with free passes, thanks in large part to the fact that he fanned seven. A forearm injury caused Hansen to miss the beginning of the year, and he’s really struggled to find the strike zone since coming back with 35 walks in 34 1/3 innings. There’s filthy stuff in his right arm; a mid 90s fastball, a plus curve and a cut-like slider that can all miss bats. As good as that arsenal is, he’s going to have to throw more strikes if he’s going to start, and there might be too much effort in his delivery for him to do it on a consistent basis. This is a very risky fantasy prospect, but one with huge upside.