RADIO
Brad Hand 2019 Outlook: Lefty Has Top-Five RP Upside
6 years agoCleveland Indians relief pitcher Brad Hand illustrates the ups and downs for closers. Hand was one of the most lockdown relievers of the 2017 season (posting a 2.16 ERA in 79 1/3 innings), but only saved 21 games with the Padres. He then saved 24 of his 29 opportunities with the Friars in 2018 before he was traded to the Indians. With his trade to Cleveland, Hand was put in a better position to win, but only received 10 save opportunities, saving eight games and earning seven holds. He also saw his ERA drop (from 3.05 in 44 1/3 innings with San Diego to 2.28 in 27 2/3 innings with the Indians) while seeing his strikeout rate drop and WHIP rise. He still struck out 100 batters, for the third consecutive season, and saw his save tally jump double digits to 32 in 2018. Even though he had somewhat of a roller coaster 2018 season, his stock is hot leading into 2019, as both Cody Allen and Andrew Miller left the Tribe. There is still a chance that Allen could return to the AL Central champions, but, for now at least, it can be assumed that Hand is the closer leading into 2019. If that is the case, there is absolutely top-five RP upside for Hand, and he could be a mid-round steal.
