Atlanta lands three-time All-Star for minor-league RHP Alec Barger
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves today acquired LHP Brad Hand from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for minor-league RHP Alec Barger.
Hand, 33, has made 40 relief appearances for the Rockies this season, pitching to a 3-1 record and a 4.54 ERA (18 ER/35.2 IP). He has struck out 41 batters and walked 16.
A three-time All-Star, Hand is in his 13th major league season. In 559 career games, he has gone 38-53 with a 3.80 ERA (307 ER/754.0 IP). In 2016, the left-hander led the majors with 82 games pitched. During the abbreviated 2020 season, he led baseball with 16 saves and paced the American League with 21 games finished. Among active players, the native of Chaska, Minn., ranks 14th in games pitched.
Originally drafted by the Florida Marlins in the second round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, Hand debuted with the Marlins in 2011.
Barger, 25, pitched in Atlanta’s minor league system for four seasons, primarily as a reliever, posting a 10-10 record and a 4.51 ERA (94 ER/187.2 IP). In 30 relief outings for Double-A Mississippi this season, he recorded a 3.29 ERA (14 ER/38.1 IP) with five saves.
