Get To Know: Gophers RHP Tyler Hanson (And Gophers Notes)

Today we bring you another Q&A with a Gophers senior. Let’s get to know a little more about right-handed pitcher Tyler Hanson. The Burnsville native grew up a Twins fan and has spent the last three years playing for his home team Gophers. He came to the University as a pitcher and first baseman, but starting as a junior, he focused strictly on pitching.

Get to know: Tyler Hanson

Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Burnsville, were you a big Twins fan? Did you get to many games? Who were some of your favorite ballplayers?

Tyler Hanson (TH): Born and raised a Twins fan! I've been to plenty of games at both the Metrodome and Target Field. This may surprise some, but I enjoyed watching Kyle Lohse and Joe Nathan when I grew up.

SS: What were some of the highlights of your high school career?

TH: My sophomore year at Burnsville, we won the State Championship game to Maple Grove, coming back 5-0 in the bottom of the 7th.

SS: What was it about the University of Minnesota that made you decide to play for the Gophers?

TH: The U of M was a perfect fit for me academically, geographically, socially, and obviously a strong baseball program that values family and tradition.

SS: Have you played summer ball through your college years?

TH: Yes, I played three seasons for the Willmar Stingers in the Northwoods League.

SS: Which pitches do you throw, and what makes you successful on the mound?

TH: I throw a 4-seam fastball, change-up, slider, and a knuckle ball. My success is all a part of throwing off my fastball. Mixing locations and establishing I can command all pitches for strikes.

SS: What have been some of the highlights of your time with the Gophers?

TH: My personal highlight is crushing my only home run of my college career at Richmond my sophomore year. My favorite moment as a Gopher has to be winning the Big Ten regular season last year.

SS: What are your goals for the 2017 season?

TH: My goal is to do all that I can on and off the field to give our team the best chance to win games.

SS: What is your major, and what are your career goals going forward? (How does baseball fit into that equation?)

TH: I am a Sport Management major and am pursuing a career in marketing, hopefully in the sport industry.

Hanson has a 4.26 ERA in 6.1 innings so far this season. He earned a win this past weekend against Seattle with 3.1 scoreless innings of work. He will likely fill a long relief type of role in the Gophers bullpen though he may also have the ability to make some spot starts if needed.

GOPHER NOTES

• On Tuesday night, the Gophers hosted NDSU at US Bank Stadium. The Bison won the game 3-1. For the Gophers, Nolan Burchill started and gave up one run in 4.1 innings of work. He also batted seventh and went 0-1. Burchill is a 6-1 freshman from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
  
• Luke Peterson still leads the team in batting average at .667 (14-21).
  
• Upcoming Games:
  • Thursday: 5:00 vs Hawaii
    
  • Friday: 6:30 vs Oral Roberts
    
  • Saturday: 6:30 vs Hawaii
    
  • Sunday: 3:00 vs Iowa
    
  • Tuesday: 6:00 vs South Dakota State
    
  • Wednesday: 6:30 vs Milwaukee
    

Please feel free to discuss Tyler Hanson, the Gophers, the upcoming schedule of games or anything you’d like below.