Brad Hand

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 3​²⁄₃ 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 148​¹⁄₃ 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 20​²⁄₃ big league innings.

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 36​¹⁄₃ 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]

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 89​¹⁄₃ innings and led the league with 82 appearances. He averaged 11.2 strike-outs per 9 innings on the year, a marked improvement over the 5.9 strike-outs 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 strike-outs 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 79​¹⁄₃ 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]

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]

Hand signed a one-year contract worth a reported $10.5 million with the Washington Nationals on January 26, 2021.[22]