LA Angels prospect Brett Hannewich is moving on up in minors

LA Angels pitching prospect Brett Hannewich is on the rise through the Angels minor league system.  Hannewich is now in Double-A Mobile with high hopes.

Brett Hannewich was drafted in the ninth round of the 2017 Amateur Draft out of Stanford University.  Hannewich is from Bradenton, Florida and has pitched well since starting in Orem in 2017.

Hannewich is 6-6 overall with a 3.47 ERA since 2017.  He pitched very well last season in splitting time with Burlington and Inland Empire going 3-2 with a 2.61 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 69 innings of work and a 1.406 WHIP.  This season Hannewich started the season at Inland Empire going 1-0 with a 0.93 ERA pitching in 19.2 innings with 28 strikeouts and seven walks with a WHIP of 0.776.

Hannewich was then called up to Double-A Mobile going 0-3 with a 4.66 ERA pitching 9.2 innings with 11 strikeouts.  His only problem so far in Double-A is the 13 walks Hannewich has allowed.  In 124.1 innings pitched Hannewich has 143 strikeouts which is outstanding, but 84 walks leaves a little to be desired.

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If Hannewich can get control of his pitches he will have a successful career.  Hannewich sports a mid-to-high 90’s fastball that tops out at 98 MPH.  He can also get you out with his change-up and slider. Before he was called up to Double-A Mobile Halo Hangout caught up with Hannewich.

What are trying to work on this season to improve yourself?

“I want work to more on my command and being more consistent. I’ve working on being in the strike zone more consistently and getting weak contact, things the Angels preach,” Hannewich said. “I’ve been a reliever since they drafted me. I like coming in in high leverage situations. I’m comfortable do that.”

Since you were a veteran here in Inland Empire what do you do to help the new pitchers?

“Whenever they have questions I answer them truthful and tell them stories from things that happened last year here,” Hannewich said. “By sharing my personal experiences it can help they know what to expect so they came be prepared for things that happen. Everyone’s goal is to reach the major leagues. They know what they need to do to be successful.”

What are your goals for this season?

“My goal is to be the next guy to go from A ball to the major leagues like Griffin Canning and Keynan Middleton have done in recent years. However that is more outcome-oriented and i want to stay more process-oriented,” Hannewich said. “Once I fine tune my command and become more consistent with that then I will move up. I have done a better job of that this year so we will see what happens.”

Hannewich was prophetic as a week after I interviewed him in San Bernardino he was promoted to Double-A Mobile. Although his command issue has again resurfaced. Hopefully Hannewich will get a handle on that soon so he continue his climb this season and maybe reach Triple-A before the season is over.

How does the pitching in the PAC-12 help to prepare you for the minor leagues?

“The PAC-12 is one of the top conferences in the nation. I was able to face many good hitters in college which has helped me to be ready for what I am facing now in the minor leagues,” Hannewich said.

Having played with so many top prospects and seeing major league guys in Spring Training what are you able to learn from them?

“Playing with top prospects last year like Jo Adell, Griffin Canning, and Brandon Marsh, I tried to pay attention to how they handled themselves and prepared each day which was very valuable to see on a daily basis,” Hannewich said. “Then seeing guys like Trout, Pujols, and Ohtani in the Spring. They have been around for awhile and see how they work every day. You ask yourself how they handle their business day in and day out, and how I can get in that position myself. What do I need to do to be that guy.”

Hannewich will go as far as his control will take him He has major-league quality stuff, but like many pitchers in the minors he needs to be able to harness it in order to achieve the success he needs to reach the major league level.