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One of the most tragic stories in recent Atlanta Braves memory is Tommy Hanson. Hanson was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 22nd round of the 2005 draft out of community college in California.
Just 19 in his pro debut, Hanson opened his Braves career in Danville and was dominant, posting a 2.09 ERA over 51 2/3 innings, posting a 9/56 BB/K ratio. He pushed through both A-ball levels in 2007 at 20, posting a 3.32 ERA over 133 combined innings with a 58/154 BB/K.
The 2008 season is what really put Tommy on the national map. He worked up to AA, posting a combined 2.41 ERA and 52/163 BB/K over 138 innings. He then went to the Arizona Fall League and was absolutely incredible, posting a 0.63 ERA over 28 2/3 innings, with a dominant 7/49 BB/K.
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It took just 11 dominant starts at AAA (1.49 ERA, 17/90 BB/K over 66 1/3 innings) to realize Hanson was ready for the big leagues in 2010, and he had an incredible rookie season, going 11-4 over 21 starts, pitching 127 2/3 innings, with a 2.89 ERA and a 46/116 BB/K.
Sadly, Tommy felt the Atlanta Braves were not treating him correctly by automatically renewing his contract each spring, and he was public about his intention to leave after free agency. Rather than lose Hanson for nothing, the Braves traded him before the 2013 season. Hanson ended up suffering an injury in 2013 and he was never able to get back to the major leagues.
As a member of the Atlanta Braves, Hanson made 108 starts, tossing 635 innings, with a 3.61 ERA and a 219/592 BB/K ratio.
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Tragically, losing baseball put Hanson into a terrible place where he was abusing drugs and alcohol, leading to a final overdose that took his life in November of 2015. He was just 29.