ANAHEIM, CA – The Angels today acquired RHP Tommy Hanson from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for RHP Jordan Walden. Today’s announcement was made by General Manager Jerry Dipoto.
Hanson, 26, went 13-10 with a 4.48 ERA (174.2 IP – 87 ER) in 31 starts for Atlanta in 2012, his fourth season with the Braves. His 13 wins established a career best and ranked second on the club’s staff to Tim Hudson (16). Hanson’s 31 starts and 161 strikeouts led Atlanta’s pitching staff.
Hanson was originally drafted by the Braves in the 22nd round of the 2005 draft out of Riverside Community College in Riverside, CA. After making his debut with Atlanta on June 7, 2009, the right-hander went on to post an 11-4 record with a 2.89 ERA (127.2 IP – 41 ER) through the rest of the ’09 season and finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting. From 2009 to 2011, Hanson posted a 32-22 record with a 3.28 ERA (460.1 IP – 168 ER) in 77 starts for the Atlanta, tied for the second most starts by a Braves starter.
Walden, 25, has spent his entire career with the Angels after being selected by the club in the 12th round of the 2006 draft. He wrapped up his third major league season with a 3-2 record and 3.46 ERA (39 IP – 15 ER) with one save over 45 appearances out of the bullpen in 2012.
The Fort Worth, TX native has accumulated an 8-8 career record (3.06 ERA) with 34 saves in 123 outings. In 2011 as the Angels closer, Walden’s 32 saves shattered the Halos rookie saves record and marked just the fifth time since 2000 that an MLB rookie surpassed the 30 saves mark. With his selection to the American League All-Star team in 2011, he became the first Angels rookie to earn the honor since 1997 (Jason Dickson, RHP).
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