Skip to main content

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Prospect Nic Hanson

Right-handed hurler Nicholas Hanson was selected by the Phillies in the 16th round of last year's draft.  The Golden West College product had a tough pro debut with the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters, where he sported a 2-3 record with a 7.00 ERA while averaging 5.8 K/9.  This year is a completely different story, however.  In nine outings, Hanson, 21, has tallied a 1-0 record along with a 2.94 ERA and a 7.48 K/9 mark.  Additionally, in his three starts since moving from the bullpen, the 6-foot-7, 210 pounder has allowed just one run.

Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Nic and he spoke about his success, his best friend who is also a player, his offerings on the mound and plenty more. Read ahead for that full interview.


- You're on a hot streak now and doing very well as a starter after relieving to start the season.  What can you tell me about your early success this season?

I'm just kind of getting used to my new stuff.  I started throwing that sinker now and (pitching coach Aaron Fultz) has really been helping me and we're watching video a little bit and I'm kind of getting used to my stuff.  That's basically it, just going out there and learning every time.


- What's your full pitching repertoire right now?

Right now, four-seam fastball, sinker, slider, change up. 


- You mentioned the new addition of a sinker.  Who initiated that?  How did that come about?

I used to throw it as a little kid.  It was the only way I knew how to throw a fastball, I'd kind of throw it differently than a regular two-seamer.  And I felt like I needed another pitch other than a four-season fastball.  My dad told me, toward the end of spring training, "Why don't you throw that pitch?"  So, I threw it the last start of spring training and it worked well.  So, I figured I might as well stick with it and I've been throwing it out here.  It's been getting better every time, so I'm happy with it.


- If I were to ask you to scout yourself, what would you say?

I would say 6-foot-7, strike thrower, good plane when he gets on top, good sinker, slider is the our pitch and the change up's getting there.  It's developing, but it can be good at times. 


- We talked about you changing roles a bit.  Do you have a preference for where you pitch?

I mean, I think most people like to start, but as long as I'm playing baseball, I have fun.  Bullpen, starting, whatever, I have fun.  I'd like to keep going as a starter.  I like knowing when I am going to pitch and getting an opportunity to pitch an extended amount of innings, get in a groove and get the feel for it.


- The draft last year...what was that experience like for you?

It was a little bit of a stressful day for a lot of people.  I didn't go where I thought I was gonna go, but went (as) the Phillies' first pick on the third day.  It was a happy time.  Family was stoked, friends were stoked.  I got an opportunity and wanted to go with it. 


- You spent last season with Williamsport after being drafted.  How do you feel your time in Williamsport went and how was your first exposure to pro ball?

It was a learning experience, definitely.  I didn't really know what to expect, coming from junior college, you know.  It was kind of different facing these guys that you see on ESPNU and all these big time prospects and stuff.  But, it was just a big learning experience getting used to the pro baseball way, how to compete and just confidence and all that.


- I know you're a California guy.  Who did you look up to as a player before turning pro?

I was a, well, pitcher- Jered Weaver.  I was a big Jered Weaver fan. Position player...I was a big Garrett Anderson fan. I grew up an Angels fan.


- As a pro now, if you had the opportunity to speak to young players that were hoping to play baseball being high school, whether it's college or professionally, what advice would you give?

Stick with it.  Never give up.  I didn't play baseball my junior year, I was out of the game.  Just kind of didn't know what I was going to do and I got back in the game.  I would just tell them never give up.  Always keep going.  Work hard and stay positive.  


- It seems you've got a connection in the pro ranks that may have had some impact on bringing you back to the game in those high school years.  You know, a close friend named Henry Owens, who is a Red Sox prospect.  Just talk about that a little bit.

Yeah, I grew up with Henry.  Actually, he lives in my neighborhood, right behind me.  We grew up together, playing baseball together, always been good friends.  And once he got drafted, in 2011 and I got drafted last draft, so we lived together in the off-season.  We just worked out together, talked the game together and he had a full season ahead of me and he kind of gave me some pointers and let me know what to expect and stuff and it's been beneficial, definitely.


- I know you're on Twitter (@Nic_Hanson75).  How do you view Twitter?  Some guys might look at it as a way to build their own brand, some guys use it to bond with fans, some guys keep track of friends in other levels.  How do you view it?

I guess, well, right now, being in Single A, it's kind of just communicating with the teammates in the off-season and seeing how other guys are doing.  I guess down the road, being in the big leagues and stuff it can help you be a fan favorite. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Lidge Shaky, T-Mac Honored in Trenton

TRENTON, NJ- Brad Lidge made his second rehab appearance for the Double A Reading Phillies on Thursday night and it didn't go as well as the veteran reliever or the team had hoped. Lidge struggled with his command and turned in a rather poor outing for the club that entered the night in a playoff race, 1 game behind division rival Trenton for the Wild Card spot in the Eastern Division. On the disabled list since spring training with a strained right rotator cuff, Lidge experienced an elbow strain when he was working back from that issue in late May. In his outing against the Yankees affiliate in Trenton, Lidge displayed difficulty with his control as he threw three wild pitches, hit two batters, walked another and gave up a single, all while letting up two earned runs on 28 pitches in 2/3 of an inning. After the disappointing performance, Lidge was composed and focused on some positive aspects, having reached 89 and 90 MPH on scouts' radar guns, according to some reports. ...

Mike McGuire Living a Dream With Favorite Team

LAKEWOOD, NJ- Every young ballplayer grows up wishing he could play for his favorite team. Mike McGuire has an opportunity to do just that after signing with the Phillies organization in July. McGuire was a 43rd round draft pick taken by the Cleveland Indians in the 2008 amateur draft out of the University of Delaware. Early scouting reports liked McGuire's abilities, despite some arm trouble. He advanced as far as High A Level Kinston last season. While there, he posted an 0-3 record with a 5.46 ERA in 9 games, 8 of which were starts. The Indians weren't happy with McGuire's efforts this spring and released him. McGuire caught on with the Sussex Skyhawks of the independent Can-Am League, where he stayed in shape and pitched against other formerly affiliated minor leaguers. As a starter with the Skyhawks, McGuire went 3-4 with a 5.29 ERA in 8 outings. From there, just as all players in those independent leagues hope for, the 24-year-old McGuire got noticed. The Phillies wer...

Harry's Plaque Has Misprint

At the ballpark today for the first time since Harry Kalas was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame on Friday, I noticed an error in the text on his plaque. Verbage on the plaque reads like this... Voice of Phillies baseball on radio and TV for 39 seasons. Teamed with Richie Ashburn from 1971 until 1997. Harry was on the air for all of Mike Schmidt's 548 home runs, five Phillies no-hitters, seven National League Championship Series, three World Series, the first and final games at Veterans Stadium and the Citizens Bank Park 2004 opener. Received the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award in 2002 for "Major Contributions to Baseball" and was inducted into the broadcasters' wing at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. His calls were legendary, especially his signature home run call, "Outta heeere." On October 29, 2008, he brought utmost joy to Phillies fans: "The 0-2 pitch, swing and miss , struck him out. The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 Worl...