Hanson enjoying fresh start with White Sox and an old friend

CHICAGO — Alen Hanson spent seven sleepless nights tossing and turning in bed, waiting to hear where he would continue his professional career.

Hanson knew he would be sent back to Triple-A if he was not claimed by another team or traded within seven days after the Pirates designated him for assignment on June 2. The uncertainty was torture.

"It was a tough week," Hanson told DKPittsburghSports.com Friday night at Guaranteed Rate Field through White Sox interpreter Bill Russo.

Growing more anxious by the hour, he spent most of those seven days exploring Pittsburgh with his wife, Yonahury, and his 18-month-year-old daughter, Alenny.

On June 9, the news finally came: Hanson was claimed on waivers by the White Sox.

The shock began to resonate until the 25-year-old infielder realized he was about to be reunited with Willy Garcia, now a White Sox outfielder and a close friend who was a Pirates prospect lost on waivers in January. With Garcia, he has a friend to help him become acclimated to his new home and someone who also knows what it's like having a career hanging in the balance.

“I was so happy when I found out,” Garcia, who was the Pirates’ No. 12 prospect in 2015, told DKPittsburghSports.com, also through Russo.  “He’s like a brother to me. I was happy for him, too, because this is an opportunity for him. A fresh start. With him here, I feel more comfortable because of the relationship we have.”

Hours before the White Sox played the Athletics Friday night, Hanson and Garcia sat in the clubhouse three locker stalls apart. Being able to turn to an old friend for advice is an opportunity Garcia called “amazing.”

It was nine years ago the two met at a prospect showcase in the Dominican Republic. Neither could recall where it was held, but the two have been close ever since. One year later, Hanson signed with Pirates as a 16-year-old.

Garcia, who is two years younger than Hanson, followed him to the organization six months later.

The two then competed in the Dominican Summer League together in 2010, and followed each other through the Pirates’ system. Garcia had terrific bat speed and raw power, but Hanson “had it all,” according to his friend.

“He can do everything,” Garcia said, smiling while motioning at his friend nearby. “He can hit for power, he can hit for average, he can play multiple positions, and he’s so fast.”

That dynamic skill set elevated Hanson to being one of the Pirates’ top prospects, ranked No. 5 by MLB Pipeline in 2015. He was viewed as an every-day second baseman with limitless potential, particularly at the plate.

Hanson even improved his approach after that top-five ranking, batting .266 with eight home runs and 32 RBI for Triple-A Indianapolis in 2016. It earned him a major-league promotion in May and he played a total of 27 games with the Pirates last season.

All of the potential never translated in the major leagues, however. Out of minor-league options, Hanson made the Pirates’ opening day roster this season with the front office hoping he would either have a breakthrough at the plate or improve enough defensively to play multiple positions.

It never happened. He batted just .193 in 37 games with only 11 hits in 57 at-bats.

On June 2, the Pirates designated Hanson for assignment. It was the same spot Garcia, who batted .245 in 129 games with Triple-A Indianapolis last season, found himself at the end of 2016 when he was designated for assignment on Dec. 31.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” Hanson said. “I was in the organization my entire career. I honestly wasn’t expecting that, but things happen for a reason.”

Hanson did not want to use his role for the Pirates this season as the reason behind his struggles. He was never quite given the chance to carve out a niche, and 18 of his at-bats were as a pinch-hitter.

He has found peace with his second chance. Hanson found the transition to the Pirates’ organization difficult when he played in the Gulf Coast League in 2011. His managers throughout his minor league career did not speak Spanish.

Spanish-speaking White Sox manager Rick Renteria, who was briefly a Pirate, has been a calming influence for Hanson over the past two weeks.

“I never felt that kind of confidence and good communication that I have right now with Ricky, because he can speak the same language and you can express yourself in your native language,” Hanson said. “As a player, as a human being, that makes you feel more comfortable and that’s an advantage for me.”

More important, he has Garcia. That level of comfort has been important for Hanson as he tries to find his niche in the major leagues. The White Sox have used him at both center field and second base. He made an immediate impact with a pinch-hit solo home run in the eight inning of a 10-6 loss to the Orioles on June 14. Hanson went 3 for 4 two nights later, and is batting .300 in 22 plate appearances for the White Sox.

"We felt good with the Pirates organization, but because this is a different atmosphere here, different people here, we’re more confident in ourselves," Garcia, who never reached the major leagues in Pittsburgh, said. "We feel more relaxed about what we can do on the field. The way you can interact with people here is different."

But Hanson is still trying to find the consistency that eluded him once he reached the Pirates last season. There’s no secret behind that, and he remains confident that he can fulfill the potential that made him a top prospect.

He’s just relieved that he’ll do it with a friend by his side, and with that agonizing week well behind him.

“I’m glad to be here,” Hanson said. “It wasn’t something pleasant, but at the end of the day good things happen and now I’m here.”