Donovan Hand

Donovan Jay Hand

• Bats Right, Throw Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 210 lb.
• School Jacksonville State University
• High School Hatton High School
• Debut May 26, 2013
• Final Game June 17, 2015
• Born April 20, 1986 in Tecumseh, AL USA

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Biographical Information

Donovan Hand made the majors in 2013.

Amateur Career

Hand was 10-2 with a 2.30 ERA as a college freshman in 2005, finishing second in the Ohio Valley Conference in wins (one behind Rowdy Hardy) and ERA (trailing Lee Drinkard). He and Howdy were the All-OVC starting pitchers and Hand was Freshman of the Year for the conference. In 2006, he had a 9-4, 2.58 record, tying Hardy for third in the OVC in wins and ERA. He was also 4th with 88 strikeouts. As a junior, he faded to 7-8, 3.75 with 88 K to 22 BB in 104 2/3 IP. He was second in the OVC in whiffs (13 behind Christian Friedrich) and innings, tied for first in losses and tied for fourth in wins. The Milwaukee Brewers took him in the 14th round of the 2007 amateur draft; the scout was Joe Mason.

Professional Career

Donovan split the summer of 2007 between the Helena Brewers (2-2, 3.55 in 7 G) and the West Virginia Power (1-2, 4 Sv, 2.16), walking only four in 58 innings. In 2008, he did well for the Brevard County Manatees (4-2, 2.31 in 10 G) and the Huntsville Stars (3-4, 5.09). With the 2009 Stars, he had a 8-5, 3.56 record, walking 21 in 98 2/3 innings. He was used almost entirely in relief (only one start) in 2010, going 2-1 with two saves and a 2.86 ERA in 27 games for Huntsville and 2-0, 4.62 in 21 contests for the Nashville Sounds. He tied for third in the Brewers chain in appearances.

In 2011, the Alabama native pitched for Huntsville (2.38 ERA, Sv in 9 G) and Nashville (2-6, Sv, 3.60 in 39 G). He tied Rob Wooten and Santo Manzanillo for second among Milwaukee farmhands in pitching outings, one behind Roque Mercedes. He spent all of 2012 with Nashville, going 3-3 with a 3.84 ERA. In winter ball, he had a 2-1, 3.15 record as a starter for the Caribes de Anzoategui. Back in relief for Nashville in 2013, Hand opened 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA after 16 games. He was called up to the majors when Jim Henderson went on the DL. In addition to his reliable middle relief work, he had hit well for a pitcher (.232 to that point in his career).

In his MLB debut, Hand relieved Yovani Gallardo in a double switch, taking Jonathan Lucroy's spot in the batting order, with a 4-0 deficit to open the 5th against Pittsburgh. Andrew McCutchen led off with a single, then Hand fanned Garrett Jones and got Gaby Sanchez on a fly. Hand tried to pick-off McCutchen but made an error to advance the runner. He recovered to whiff Pedro Alvarez. Milwaukee scored three times in the bottom of the 5th to close it to 4-3. In the 6th, Hand allowed a double to Michael McKenry and a single to Jordy Mercer. He got his third K, retiring Brandon Inge, while Mercer stole second. Starling Marte's sacrifice fly gave Pittsburgh an insurance run. Hand walked Neil Walker then retired McCutchen to end the inning. In the bottom of the 6th, he left for pinch-hitter Jeff Bianchi.

Sources

• 2013 Brewers Media Guide
• Purapelota
• The Baseball Cube

Related Sites

• Donovan Hand on mlb.com