Braves Bolster Bullpen With Addition Of Brad Hand

Image credit: Brad Hand Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

After adding Taylor Hearn and Pierce Johnson in recent days, Atlanta struck again on deadline day by grabbing lefty Brad Hand from the Rockies for minor leaguer Alec Barger.

Hand gives the Braves a second lefthanded relief option outside of A.J. Minter.

BRAVES ACQUIRE

Brad Hand, LHP
Age: 33

Hand, who was originally selected by the Marlins in the second round of the 2008 draft, has bounced around the league during the course of 13 big league seasons. Once he pitches for the Braves, he’ll have spent time with every club in the NL East. Hand operates with a mix of low-90s four-seam and sinking fastballs and a sweeping slider in the low 80s

ROCKIES ACQUIRE

Alec Barger, RHP
Age: 25

Barger, a North Carolina State alum, was selected by Atlanta in the 17th round of the 2019 draft. He’s advanced a level per year during the course of his career and in 2023 is 3-2, 3.29 with 48 strikeouts in 38.1 innings at Double-A Mississippi. He’s been a reliever for the last two seasons and works by mixing a low-90s fastball that touches 95 with a mid-80s slider with more sweep than depth.