Austin
Hansen

2014 KABC 6A All-State - First Team
2014 Sunflower League Pitcher of the Year

4/23/15 - Hansen is class of 2015 right-handed pitcher. Oklahoma commit and 2015 MLB draft prospect that attends Olathe Northwest HS in Olathe, KS. Athletic 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame. Explosive delivery and one of the most lively and electric arms in the area. Three-quarters slot. Fastball gets up on hitters quicker than they think, 87-90 mph, touch 92. Works down in the zone and can elevate for swing and miss. Feel for breaking ball with 11/5 shape, late break, 76-77 mph. Threw a seven-inning complete game, two hits, one unearned run, one walk, eight strikeouts against Blue Valley, one of the top programs in Kansas 6A.

5/6/14 - We’ve seen the athletic 6-foot, 165-pound Hansen a number of times starting with the KC Barnstormers Top 100 Showcase this past December and he continues to show improvement each time.  Tonight he threw a masterpiece against Shawnee Mission East, one of the top hitting teams in the state – a line-up that has right-left balance, physical two-three-four hitters and athletes at the top/bottom of the order.  Hansen threw a complete game shutout, yielding just three hits, no runs, two walks and 13 strikeouts.  His fastball velocity ranged from 85-89 mph in the game with a heavy dose of 88’s and 89’s in the first two innings – his command of this pitch was the best we’ve seen, repeatedly squaring up the catcher for called strikes.  Hansen’s breaking ball was harder (74-77) and sharper than we’ve seen it as well.  He was in total control.  As always is the case with the Olathe Northwest righty he worked fast and had an aggressive presence on the mound.  He’s trending in the right direction.  Hansen plays with the KC Barnstormers organization in the summer and fall.

4/3/14 - As we have reported before Olathe Northwest’s Austin Hansen is an athletic live-armed right-handed pitcher and left-handed hitting infielder that is among the top prospects in the Kansas Class of 2015.  We had a chance to see the 6-foot, 165-pound Hansen pitch again on Thursday night versus Shawnee Mission South at Johnson County 3&2.  He has made a jump velocity wise from when we saw him in late December with a fastball in the 85-86 mph range and topping out at 88 more than once.  He also showed a 71-74 curveball that at times was a game-changing pitch freezing the South hitters.  He did have trouble controlling the life on his fastball a bit, in particular, during the third inning when he gave up all three of the runs scored against him in his six-inning outing.  After that, he composed himself, righting the ship and throwing up three zeros to finish the game.  Hansen also flashed his athleticism making two tough defensive plays showing quick feet and hands – as you might expect from a Kansas Class 6A shortstop.  Hansen is among a strong group of three Class of 2015 right-handers that are still uncommitted along with Blue Valley’s Ryan Cyr and Manhattan’s Jesse Steinbring.

12/28/13 - It’s becoming apparent that Olathe Northwest’s calling card is the production of talented left-hand hitting shortstops – with the likes of Nate Tenbrink (former K-State player and current Seattle Mariners AAA product), Austin Fisher (2013 First-Team All-Big 12 Conference shortstop for K-State) and now Hansen.  During the hitting and infield portion of the workouts, the 6-foot, 165-pound Hansen performed well showing a solid skill set.  However, his talents on the mound stood out, in particular the presence of a real breaking ball.  His delivery is athletic, explosive and he has quick, clean arm action.  He works uphill but his quick arm allows him to get out front with ease.  Hansen hides the ball well which no doubt causes problems for hitters.  His fastball ranged from 81-83 mph, most with late sink.  His breaking ball registered in the low 70’s with a late, hard left turn and he has command of it – it’s a lot more than just a nice little breaking ball.  With his quick arm, athleticism and far from filled out frame, it doesn’t take much imagination to envision the 185-pound version of Hansen dialing an upper 80’s fastball with a game-altering breaking ball winning (or saving) a lot of games at the next level.  Hansen plays for the KC Barnstormers organization in the summer and fall seasons.