Multiple sources confirmed that Tommy Hanson passed away Monday evening after suffering catastrophic organ failure and falling into a coma.
He was 29 years old.
A 6-foot-6 right-hander, Hanson debuted with the Braves in 2009, finishing third in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting after going 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA. He was one of the National League’s best pitchers in the first half of 2011 before injuring his shoulder and missing the final two months.
Hanson returned in 2012 with diminished stuff, yet won 13 games with a 4.48 ERA anyway. The Braves traded him to the Angels after the season, and he struggled mightily in Anaheim, amassing a 5.42 ERA in 13 starts and two relief appearances. He never pitched in the majors again, though he did spend time with the Triple-A affiliates of the White Sox in 2014 and Giants in 2015.
HardballTalk extends its deepest condolences to Hanson’s friends and family.