Little League® International mourns the passing of Tommy Hanson, a graduate of Newmark Little League in San Bernardino, Calif., who pitched in the Major Leagues for the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He was 29.
Hanson, who played for Steve Cooper in Newmark Little League’s Major Division, established himself as a top Big League pitching prospect after dominating the 2008 Arizona Fall League.
Making his Major League debut in June 2009, Hanson finished his first Major League season with a third-place finish in the Rookie of the Year balloting.
In three Major League seasons, Hanson produced an ERA of 3.28 in 77 starts. He would be hampered by a shoulder and back ailment that eventually altered his career.
The Braves traded the right-hander to the Angels after the 2012 season, and he did not pitch at the Major League level after making 15 appearances for the 2013 Angels. He finished his career with a 49-35 record, 3.80 ERA and 648 strikeouts.