Kawakami impressive during bullpen session

In his first two bullpen sessions, Braves pitcher Kenshin Kawakami threw only fastballs and at only modest intensity, nothing that stood out among a lineup of Braves pitchers at the start of spring training.

But in his third session on Thursday, the right-hander gave manager Bobby Cox a glimpse of what made Kawakami one of the top pitchers in Japan over the past decade.

“Kawakami threw real good today,” Cox said. “He aired it out pretty good and had a good curveball, and his pattern of location was excellent. He was pretty darn impressive.”

Kawakami is scheduled to face Braves hitters for the first time Saturday. At his request, he’s been on a bit of a different schedule than others, who’ve already faced hitters a couple of times this week.

No problems for Hanson

A torn nail on his index finger didn’t prevent top prospect Tommy Hanson from doing all his scheduled work Thursday. The big right-hander impressed onlookers with the velocity of his fastball and movement on all his pitches.

Cox said earlier in the week: “He has a way-above-average slider. You don’t see one like that — a Smoltz-type slider. He’s really advanced in knowing how to correct a pitch, to fix a pitch. And in his command of the fastball.”

Another pitcher who’s impressed Cox all week is Derek Lowe, who the manager said might be the hardest worker he’s ever seen. Lowe does routine stretching and other conditioning drills early in the morning at the ballpark, before the regular workout begins.