Hanson lighting it up for Class A Power

PITTSBURGH -- Class A West Virginia Power shortstop Alen Hanson is off to a sizzling start offensively and leads the team with a .400 batting average through the first 14 games of the season.

After only hitting two home runs in 55 games in 2011, Hanson, ranked No. 16 on the Pirates' prospect watch list according to MLB.com, has already gone deep four times this season with 10 RBIs.

"I'm not surprised," Hanson said. "When I have a good swing and can feel that good swing, I know that I have some juice and wiry strength."

"Hanson has intriguing talent," said West Virginia Power hitting coach Edgar Varela. "We've seen his tools already. He's got some power. He can also do the little things. He can run, he can bunt, he plays a premier position, but most importantly, he's young.

"He's 19. And he hits from both sides of the plate."