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Brad Hand

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Brad Hand
Hand with the Washington Nationals in 2021
Philadelphia Phillies
Pitcher
Born: (1990-03-20) March 20, 1990 (age 34)
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
June 7, 2011, for the Florida Marlins
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record32–50
Earned run average3.68
Strikeouts685
Saves126
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Bradley Richard Hand (born March 20, 1990) is an American professional baseball relief pitcher who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Florida Marlins in 2011. Hand has also played for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Washington Nationals, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets. He is a three-time MLB All-Star.

Early life

Hand is a 2008 graduate of Chaska High School in Chaska, Minnesota. He was named the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year in baseball for 2008.[1] Hand committed to attend Arizona State University on a scholarship to play college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils.[2]

Professional career

Florida / Miami Marlins

The Florida Marlins selected Hand in the second round, with the 52nd overall selection, of the 2008 MLB draft. He signed with the Marlins, rather than attend Arizona State. He played at the Rookie-level in 2008, pitching to a 3–2 win–loss record and a 2.64 earned run average (ERA). He pitched for the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the Class A South Atlantic League in 2009, ending the year with a 7–13 record and a 4.86 ERA. He spent the 2010 season with the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League.[2]

As a 21-year-old, Hand spent the 2011 season shuttling between the Double-A Jacksonville Suns and the Major Leagues. Hand was called up to the majors for the first time on June 6, 2011.[3] He made his debut the next day against the Atlanta Braves. In his debut, Hand became the second starter since 1946 to throw at least 6 innings and allow one hit or less to lose the game.[4] Hand got his first big league win on July 8, 2011, against the Houston Astros, throwing seven, two-hit shutout innings. In a total of four stints at the Major League level, Hand accumulated a 1–8 record and 4.20 ERA in 12 starts while posting an 11–4 record and 3.40 ERA in 18 starts at Jacksonville.

Hand pitching for the New Orleans Zephyrs in 2012

Hand spent most of 2012 with the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs. On August 3, Hand was called up for a doubleheader game against the Washington Nationals so as not to disrupt the starting rotation. He pitched 32⁄3 innings, giving up seven runs on six hits and six walks, and took the loss. The next day, he was sent back down to New Orleans. He finished the season with the Zephyrs going 11–7 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP in 1481⁄3 innings pitched, with 75 walks and 141 strikeouts in 27 games started.

Hand also began 2013 as a starter for the Triple-A club. He was recalled to the Marlins on April 30 after the team used 7 pitchers in an extra-inning game the previous night, but was optioned back after a single relief appearance.[5] After a May injury and a rehab assignment with the Rookie League club, Hand rejoined the Zephyrs on July 30. Hand made a total of 15 starts with the Zephyrs, going 3–5 with a 3.42 ERA. He was recalled to the Marlins in September, where he made six appearances, including two starts. For the season, he compiled a 3.05 ERA over 202⁄3 big league innings.

Hand with the Miami Marlins in 2015

Hand made the 25-man roster for the Marlins in 2014 as a long reliever and spot starter. Used mostly as a reliever in the first half, Hand went to the disabled list with an ankle sprain in late May. After a rehab assignment, he returned to the Marlins in July and was placed in the rotation as the Marlins had already looked at a number of starting pitcher options. Hand had varied results with an ERA of 3.80 as a starter after his return.[6] For the full 2014 season, Hand pitched to a 4.38 ERA in 111 innings.

In 2015, Hand prepared for a starting role in spring training.[7] He was used mostly as a long reliever early in the season, but was inserted into the rotation in August.[8] Hand had a 4–6 record and 5.68 ERA in 12 starts, and a 4.71 ERA in 361⁄3 innings over 26 appearances in relief.

Hand was one of the final cuts in spring training in 2016,[9] and was designated for assignment on April 3.[10]

San Diego Padres

Hand with the San Diego Padres in 2016

Hand was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres on April 8, 2016.[11]

Hand quickly became a fixture in the back half of the Padres bullpen in 2016, regularly pitching the 7th inning for the club, although 22 of his appearances spanned more than one inning. Hand pitched 891⁄3 innings and led the league with 82 appearances. He averaged 11.2 strikeouts per 9 innings on the year, a marked improvement over the 5.9 strikeouts per 9 he averaged over his 90 games with the Marlins, and posted a 2.92 ERA.[11] He became the sixth Padres reliever to strike out more than 100 batters in a season.[12] Of all MLB pitchers, he held left-handed batters to the lowest batting average, .124 (in 20 or more innings).[13]

In 2017, Hand was selected as the Padres representative for the All-Star Game. Hand earned the honor by putting up a 2.30 ERA and 60 strikeouts over 47 innings in the first half, and he pitched a perfect seventh in the game itself.[14] Hand was also named The Hartford National League Reliever of the Month for July.[15] Hand was regularly pitching the 7th or 8th inning for the Padres, but moved into the closer role once Brandon Maurer was traded in late July and saved 21 games on the season. He finished with a 2.16 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 791⁄3 innings and 72 appearances.[16]

On January 14, 2018, the Padres signed Hand to a three-year extension, buying out his first year of free agency, with a club option for 2021.[17] Owning a 2.91 ERA with 24 saves, Hand was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game.[18]

Cleveland Indians

Hand with the Cleveland Indians in 2018

On July 19, 2018, Hand was traded to the Cleveland Indians, along with fellow reliever Adam Cimber, for catcher and outfielder Francisco Mejía.[19] Towards the end of the season, Hand replaced Cody Allen as the team's closer, saving eight games for the Indians in 28 appearances. Between the two teams he was 2–5 with a 2.75 ERA and 32 saves.

In 2019, Hand performed strongly in the first half, earning 23 saves with a 2.17 ERA. However, his effectiveness dwindled for the remainder of the season, as he recorded a 6.08 ERA and a .351 batting average against in the final two months. Overall, Hand earned 34 saves with a 3.30 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 57+1⁄3 innings in 2019.

In 2020, Hand was a perfect 16-for-16 in save opportunities, leading the AL in saves and in games finished (21), and had a 2.05 ERA in the regular season.[20] However, in his first postseason appearance, he blew a save in an elimination game against the New York Yankees, resulting in the end of the Indians' season. The Indians declined their club option on Hand's contract for the 2021 season on October 30, 2020, making Hand a free agent.[21]

Washington Nationals

Hand signed a one-year contract worth a reported $10.5 million with the Washington Nationals on January 26, 2021.[22] In 41 appearances in 2021 for the Nationals, Hand recorded a 5–5 record with a 3.59 ERA, 42 strikeouts, and 21 saves.

Toronto Blue Jays

On July 29, 2021, Hand was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Riley Adams.[23] Hand made 11 appearances for the Blue Jays, struggling to an 0-2 record with a 7.27 ERA and 5 strikeouts. On August 31, 2021, Hand was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays.[24][25]

New York Mets

On September 2, 2021, Hand was claimed off of waivers by the New York Mets.[26]

Philadelphia Phillies

On March 14, 2022, the Philadelphia Phillies and Brad Hand agreed to a 1 year, 6 million dollar deal.[27]

Personal life

Hand married longtime girlfriend Morgan Baker on February 28, 2015. The couple's first child, a daughter, was born in 2015.[28] Their second child, a son, was born in 2017.[29]

References

  1. ^ "Past winners, Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year in baseball". Star-Tribune. June 14, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Brad Hand, from phenom to fledgling". Star Tribune.
  3. ^ "Marlins call up Hand to start Tuesday". Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Brown, David (June 8, 2011). "The Juice: Gonzalez says 'Aloha' to Mr. Hand with home run". Yahoo. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  5. ^ "Stanton expects to miss at least three weeks". Chicago Tribune. Reuters. May 1, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  6. ^ Navarro, Manny (March 2, 2015). "Brad Hand aims to improve up-and-down status with Marlins". Miami Herlad. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  7. ^ Rodriguez, Juan (February 21, 2015). "Marlins notes: Hand, Phelps to prepare as starters". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  8. ^ Navarro, Manny (August 4, 2015). "Brad Hand has quality start but Marlins fall to Mets 5–1". Miami Herald. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  9. ^ Lin, Dennis (July 9, 2017). "Brad Hand's All-Star season brings him back to where it began". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  10. ^ Links, Zach (April 3, 2016). "Marlins Designate Brad Hand, Cole Gillespie For Assignment". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  11. ^ a b Lin, Dennis (May 3, 2017). "Brad Hand, former waiver claim, now one of baseball's best relievers". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  12. ^ Cluff, Derek (September 15, 2016). "Brad Puts His Hand in Padres History". East Village Times. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  13. ^ "Splits Leaderboards | FanGraphs". www.fangraphs.com.
  14. ^ Cassavell, AJ (July 12, 2017). "An All-Star homecoming for Hand". MLB.com. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  15. ^ Newman, Mark (August 2, 2017). "Relievers of the Month: Hand, Diaz". MLB.com. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  16. ^ Sanders, Jeff (December 22, 2017). "Padres roster review: Brad Hand". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  17. ^ Lin, Dennis (January 14, 2018). "Padres officially sign Brad Hand to three-year, $19.75 million extension". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  18. ^ "Hand named to NL All-Star squad". MLB.com.
  19. ^ "Indians deal for ace reliever Brad Hand". Indians.com. July 19, 2018.
  20. ^ "2020 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
  21. ^ Bell, Mandy (October 30, 2020). "Indians pick up Pérez's option but decline 3". Indians.com.
  22. ^ "Hand joins Nats' bullpen: 'I like our chances'".
  23. ^ "Blue Jays acquire Brad Hand from Nats". MLB.com. July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  24. ^ "Toronto Blue Jays cut LHP Brad Hand one month after acquiring him". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 31, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  25. ^ "Blue Jays designate Brad Hand for assignment as struggles continue". The Athletic. August 31, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  26. ^ "Mets Claim Brad Hand off Waivers from Blue Jays".
  27. ^ "Phillies agree to a 1-year deal with Brad Hand(source)".
  28. ^ "A Happy Home Base: Inside Brad Hand's House". Palm Beach Illustrated. February 18, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  29. ^ Matz, Eddie. "Beards, bunnies and Airbnb: What it's REALLY like to get traded". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
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