Braves call up top prospect Tommy Hanson

It’s official: Tommy Hanson is coming to The Show.

The Braves’ top-rated pitching prospect is being brought from Class AAA Gwinnett to make his major-league debut in a start Saturday against Milwaukee. Hanson will move into the rotation, and his roommate Kris Medlen will move to the bullpen.

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AJC File

Bring on the Brewers! The Braves will give the ball to top prospect Tommy Hanson Saturday against Milwaukee.

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Braves general manager Frank Wren made the announcement Wednesday night after announcing that 43-year-old left-hander Tom Glavine had been released.

Medlen (1-2, 6.28 ERA) was scheduled to start Saturday in what would have been his fourth major-league game. He got his first win Sunday.

Hanson has been dominant against International League hitters, posting a 1.49 ERA and .169 opponents’ batting average, with 90 strikeouts and 17 walks in 66-1/3 innings.

His 3-3 record in 11 starts was the only thing modest about his statistics at Gwinnett, and that’s a reflection of poor run support early in the season more than anything else.

Instead of adding Glavine to the rotation, the Braves dumped the two-time former Cy Young Award winner and made the decision to bring up Hanson, who Wren said would make the Braves a more dynamic and competitive team than Glavine would.

“You do what’s best for your team, for the organization,” Wren said. “We had lots of people agree this is what’s beset for the team and for the organization. Our duty is to give those 25 players down there the best opportunity to win and to play in October.

“We feel like this gives us the best chance. This [Glavine decisioin] is not pleasant for anybody. This is a very difficult day.”

Also Wednesday, the Braves also brought up outfielder Brian Barton from Gwinnett to replace relief pitcher Jorge Campillo, who was returned to the disabled list with tendinitis in his right shoulder.