Hanson, Flowers remain hot in AFL Braves duo both making strides, drawing attention with success By Danny Wild / MLB.com http://0rz.tw/9f55g If Braves prospect Tommy Hanson is trying to stay under the radar in Arizona, it's about the only thing he's struggling with. Hanson (5-0) struck out 10 and held the visiting Peoria Javelinas to one hit over five innings and fellow Atlanta prospect Tyler Flowers homered again as the Mesa Solar Sox earned a 13-6 win on Monday. Another big performance by Hanson is the sidebar to what's been a busy week for the 22-year-old. He's struck out 30 batters in his last three starts amidst growing rumors that he'd be traded to San Diego for Padres ace Jake Peavy. "I've heard about that from a few different guys, but it's nothing I can worry about, I have no control over it." said Hanson. Coming off a stellar 2008 season -- he finished 11-5 with a 2.41 ERA at two levels -- Hanson has generated even more attention in the Arizona Fall League. The Padres reportedly asked for him in a potential deal for Peavy, and the Braves ended discussions. For now, it seems Hanson will remain with Atlanta. And he's fine with that. "If I would have been traded, it would have been fine, but I want to stay with the Braves," Hanson said. "I'm glad they didn't want to trade me. I spoke to some people that told me that was the plan, so it makes me feel good. I'm happy with it being the way it is and staying with the Braves." Braves fans may be glad the club is serious about hanging on to their top young arm. Hanson leads the AFL in wins, ERA (0.63) and 49 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings. He said he's hoping to make the jump from Double-A to Atlanta next season, perhaps out of Spring Training. "I'm trying to finish strong out here and I'll think about it all in the offseason," said Hanson of his goals for 2009. "I'll plan on going to Spring Training and competing for a spot in the [Braves] rotation, and if not there then at Triple-A. Either way I'll be happy to compete." Hanson and Flowers have quickly climbed the Braves' list of prospects heading into camp. Flowers, who spent the regular season behind the plate at Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach, hit his 12th homer of the fall season, bringing him within two of tying the league's all-time record. "You can see in batting practice, he hits the crap out of the ball," Hanson said of Flowers. "He has unreal pop. What's impressed me the most is how smart he is. He has all the tools at the plate and he's a smart player." Flowers shifted the praise to his teammate. "Tommy is pretty easy to catch to be honest," Flowers laughed. "I just stay on him when he'll leave a couple up on the zone. But other than that, I kind of approach it the way I'd approach it myself, if someone was facing me. I think that helps with certain hitters -- the more you catch, the more you understand some guys, so it makes it easier." "It's definitely good having him catch me," Hanson added. "And it's fun to watch him hit those bombs." Flowers, batting third and hitting .394, went 3-for-4 with a three-run shot in the fifth inning, bringing him with striking distance of Brandon Wood's 2005 AFL record of 14 for Surprise. He's homered in three straight games and has five long balls in his last three starts, highlighted by a three-homer, seven-RBI effort Nov. 12. "There's no secret, I'm just seeing some good pitches and hitting them well," said Flowers. "I'm definitely confident and hopefully that'll carry over into the next season. Everything is going great." Flowers has seven homers and 14 RBIs in his last 10 games for Mesa. It must be the Arizona air, he thinks. "It's weird, I feel good at the plate. At the same time, most of the balls are line drives, and some I'm barely getting under," he said. "The ball carries a little different out here. Back in Myrtle Beach, with the ocean and the wind, it was different. So hopefully this carries over and into the future." Home runs aside, Flowers said he's actually been concerned more with his defensive skills. "I just wanted to make a priority of catching and working on my defense," he said. "Throwing, getting used to hard, quality pitching. I think my defense is my weak point, compared to my offense. But I'm pushing myself defensively, and I'm happy with the progress I've made this season." Flowers' path to Atlana may not be as quick as Hanson's, and he's aware of the challenges ahead. "Ultimately I'd like to end up in the big leagues at some point. But I know how it works, that's part of the gig," he sad. "We have a couple good catchers in front of me. So if I get an opportunity, great." Hanson threw 53 of his 79 pitches for strikes Monday and said he felt relaxed all afternoon. He's done in the AFL unless Mesa reaches the championship game. "I feel good, I feel like I came out and did what I wanted to do," he said. "I've worked on my changeup and staying consistent, and I feel like i did that. Coming out here was a great thing for me." With his second 10-strikeout effort in three starts, Hanson admitted he wanted to keep going. "I always want to stay in, but there are pitch counts," he said. "Everything was working well. I felt good with all my pitches, so it was another good game. "I felt good with my fastball, and my curve and slider were pretty good today, " he added. "I threw some good changeups, so I was happy. I feel like I came a long way, I feel confident to throw anything when I'm behind in the count and need to." Scott Cousins (Marlins) tripled and drove in four runs and Van Pope (Braves) hit a grand slam in the fourth. Cubs prospect Nate Spears added a two-run homer in the first for the Solar Sox (24-11). Yankees prospect Juan Miranda led Peoria with a pair of homers and five RBIs. Drew Stubbs (Reds) added a solo homer. Milwaukee's Alex Periard (0-3) allowed six runs on eight hits and four walks in 3 2/3 innings to suffer the loss for the Javelinas (14-21). --

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