Brad Hand Stats
- Height / Weight
- 6' 3" / 224 lbs.
- Date of Birth (Age)
- 3/20/1990 (33)
- Experience
- 12
- College
- None
Brad Hand Season Stats
Last 10 Games
Brad Hand News
The Atlanta Braves have acquired left-handed reliever Brad Hand from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Alec Barger, according to FanSided's Robert Murray. In his first season with the Rockies, Hand has pitched 35.2 innings of relief work, earning a 4.03 FIP, 10.35 K/9, and 4.04 BB/9. The southpaw mostly relies on his slider but also features a fastball and sinker. This trade could have some allure for the Braves beyond 2023 since Hand has a club option heading into next season. Nevertheless, the focus is on the short-term as the Braves hope Hand can offer a reliable, veteran presence in their bullpen as they compete for a playoff spot. For the time being, Hand isn't on the fantasy radar.
The Colorado Rockies have reached an agreement with free agent relief pitcher Brad Hand. The two sides have agreed on a one-year deal worth $2 million for the 2023 season. This deal also includes a $7 million club option for the 2024 campaign. The left-hander posted a 2.80 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 38/23 K/BB ratio 45 innings with the Philadelphia Phillies last season. This is an odd fit for Hand, but he should immediately become a high-leverage pitcher in Colorado. The three-time All-Star is a significant upgrade to this bullpen, but will really only have fantasy value if he becomes the closer.
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Brad Hand was credited with the win in Saturday night's NLCS Game 4, but he hardly deserved it. Hand threw one inning, giving up two runs on a hit and a walk with no strikeouts. In five playoff appearances, Hand has been largely ineffective, with a 7.36 ERA and 1.64 WHIP to his name in 3 2/3 innings. With Philadelphia on the brink of the World Series, Hand figures to play a meaningful role out of the bullpen, largely as a result of the lack of other options.
Brad Hand Stats
Last 10 Games
Now with the Nationals, closer Brad Hand will retain his role as an MLB closer heading into 2021. With Cleveland in 2020, Hand again performed as a relief-ace. He posted a 2.05 ERA, a 0.78 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched while leading the MLB in saves with a perfect 16 saves in 16 attempts. Looking at his metrics, his fastball is not what it once was. In 2020, Hand's fastball velocity fell to 91.4 mph from 92.7 mph in 2019 (and 93.8 mph in 2018) dropping to the bottom third of the league. Additionally, the whiff rate on his fastball bottomed out to just 9.4% in 2020. Of course, Hand's slider, which generated a 25% put away rate and 38.8% whiff rate, remained elite. As a result, Hand threw his slider over 50% of the time helping him to post overall K% and BB% rates which were in the top-8% of MLB. Hand also allowed a minuscule xBA of .175 (top 4% of MLB) and wOBA of .213 (top-2% of MLB). Heading into 2021, Hand has job security and motivation to reestablish his market working on a one-year contract. With a 143 ADP, he is being drafted as the eighth or ninth closer taken off boards. This ADP is appropriate for a reliever who has amassed 103 saves over the past four seasons, particularly where there are only a handful of closers with the role solely to themselves. That said, managers should exercise caution. While Hand should post an 11.0 K/9, along with 25+ saves for a competitive team in 2021, we may see some ratio regression if fastball struggles continue. As a result, managers rostering Hand may want to handcuff him with Tanner Rainey later in drafts, just in case.
