The White Sox have claimed infielder Alen Hanson off waivers from the Pirates, reports Jon Morosi of MLB Network and FOX Sports (via Twitter). Pittsburgh placed the former top prospect on waivers last week.
Once one of baseball’s top overall prospects, Hanson’s production trailed off upon reaching Triple-A.  That didn’t prevent him from reaching the Majors, but he hasn’t performed well there, either, hitting a combined .205/.239/.261 in 92 plate appearances between the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The bulk of his time in the field as a big leaguer has come at second base, though defensive metrics such as Ultimate Zone Rating and Defensive Runs Saved don’t paint a favorable picture. Hanson is out of minor league options, so if the White Sox wish to send him down at any point, they’ll have to once again expose him to waivers.
They had their eye on Hanson for years. He was once rumored in an Alex Rios deal with Pittsburgh.
Yeah, I suppose the White Sox having to settle for Leury Garcia back in the 2013 Alex Rios trade with the Texas Rangers worked out a little better for them, at least this season. Plus, they still got Hanson at the cost of a waiver claim! lol.
A “poor man’s” version of former top White Sox 2B prospect Micah Johnson. At least Johnson could hit AAA pitching (for a time) and his career was derailed mostly as the result of injuries, particularly the chronic one from a surgically repaired elbow that limited his ability to throw.
Enjoy.
If he amounts to anything, it will be a genuine surprise. Can’t put the bat on the ball. General lack of effort and focus.
I’m sure you’re right. He probably puts in no effort at all.
Pirates tried to trade him for most of spring training and into the season. Nobody would give anything for him. He is s bad fielder at second..cannot play SS or 3B unless you like errors (look at minor league stats in field). He also comes with a poor attitude and does not hit real pitching. Top that off with his great speed, but his lack of baseball IW and work ethic hurt him in that area
IQ not IM
LOL!!! That would now be IQ and nor IW or IM …… :). ……just could not help myself.
Similar to Jose Tabata
I always wondered how Jose would have turned out had he not fractured his hamate bone. He lost whatever power he had after that. Cervelli has had a drop in his power since coming back from his hamate fracture. Little easier to take for a catcher with very good defensive skills but not so much for a corner outfielder.