Tommy Hanson assigned to Charlotte Knights

By Seth Lakso, Charlotte Observer Correspondent 

The Knights announced on Saturday that Tommy Hanson has been assigned to Charlotte and will be with the team for tonight's game in Gwinnett against the Braves. 

Hanson, 27, signed a Minor League contract with the White Sox on April 8. He had been participating in extended spring training. 

Baseball America ranked Hanson the No. 4 prospect in the game in 2008, but a rash of injuries have him in Charlotte looking to stage a comeback to the Majors.  

The Braves drafted Hanson in the 22nd round of the 2005 draft and he made his Major League debut with Atlanta at the age of 22 in 2009. In 21 starts that season, he posted an 11-4 record with a 2.89 ERA.

Last season, Hanson appeared in 15 games (13 starts) for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and went 4-3 with a 5.42 ERA in 73.0 innings pitched. He saw his average fastball velocity drop from the mid-90's to 89.9 mph.

Hanson followed that up with an uninspiring performance in camp with the Rangers this spring and was ultimately released by Texas (who would have had to pay him $2M if he made the team).