Jordan Schafer and Tommy Hanson: The Future is Now

When you look at this article's photo, what do you think about?

Consistency? From 1871 to now—never stopping, very impressive for a baseball franchise.

Hope?  Looking for more of the same for another 138 years.

Some of you may think about the above, but only one word comes to mind when I see this picture of the outfield wall at Turner Field: development.

This sign is, of course, referencing the Atlanta Braves, and this is a franchise that has always developed stellar players.

To name a few: Eddie Mathews, Phil Niekro, Warren Spahn, Tom Glavine, David Justice, Marquis Grissom, Rafael Furcal, Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, and the list goes on.

Now, in 2009, this franchise looks primed to start another long run of playoff appearances using what it does best: development.

I have profiled these guys before, so there may be a slight sense of redundancy here, so I apologise, but I am extremely excited about the group that will be wearing a big "A" on their hats by 2011.

Today, I am going to profile the two guys out of this outstanding crop that have a legitimate shot of donning an Atlanta Braves uniform this year.

With each player in this (what will become) series, I will include their line from 2008 and my projections as to what I could see them doing in the next couple of years (AVG/HR/RBI/SB for position players and IP/K/BB/ERA)

Jordan Schafer

I will begin with our future captain of the outfield, Jordan Schafer.

Last year, he was hit with a 50-game suspension for "suspected use" of HGH.  He, at least to me, obviously pushed himself when he came back, looking to show why he was ranked the number one prospect going into 2008.

With these circumstances, he put up: (age 21/22) .269/10/51/12 in 84 games at AA Mississippi.

Like I said, I think he was trying to prove that he was worthy of his prospect ranking and tried to put up huge power numbers, leading to the drop in average.

For his future, I've heard comparisons to Grady Sizemore, who was a 30/30 guy last year.

Now, I don't think anyone deserves the pressure of a likening to Sizemore, who is, though not epically good, is an extremely well-rounded player.

Saying this, I can see this 6'1" lefty doing something like: .286/23/67/30 in the number 2, 3, or 6 hole in the Bravo's line-up.

Tommy Hanson

Now, unless you've been living under a rock for the past four or five months (and even back into July when he had his no-no), you know how good this guy is.

I love this stat, so I'll repeat it.  In 28.2 innings he had 49 strikeouts.

However, that was a very limited sample, so here are his stats from A and AA combined last year: (age 21/22) 138/163/52/1.97.

With stats like those against both the best prospects in baseball and MiLB opponents, I see...well...the sky as his ceiling.

Do I think he's the next Tim Lincecum or Johan Santana, well, in all honesty yes.

Here are Johan's A stats (he skipped AA) from 1999: (age 20) in 27 games he was 160/150/55/4.67.

Now, I know that you can't judge a player purely on MiLB stats, but Santana had stats that did not exactly scream out "one of the pest pitchers of his generation," and Tommy does.

With, according to Bobby, a Smoltz-like slider, a mid-90's fastball, and a devastating curve, there is no reason Hanson couldn't become synonymous with '10s baseball when people are writing here in 30 years.

Saying this, I am going to be a tad pessimistic here (and yes, these are pessimistic) with my projections and say he could do 215/224/79/2.79 when he reaches his prime in four or five years.

In the next couple of days (not completely sure yet) I will discuss Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Gorkys Hernandez, and whoever proves competent in Spring Training.

Hope to have your input here and in my next articles!