The Padres signed righty Eric Hanhold to a minor league contract last month, according to his transactions log at MLB.com. He’ll be assigned to Triple-A El Paso.
Hanhold didn’t pitch in MLB last year. Claimed off waivers by the Pirates from the Orioles last offseason, he was passed through waivers by Pittsburgh in Spring Training. Hanhold accepted an assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis and wound up spending the whole season there. Working solely in relief, he posted a solid 3.40 ERA across 53 innings. His 21.2% strikeout rate and 10.4% walk percentage were each a bit worse than average, but he racked up ground balls at an excellent 62.7% clip.
The University of Florida product did reach the highest level the prior season. Hanhold came out of the bullpen 10 times with Baltimore in 2021, allowing nine runs in 10 1/3 innings. He’d also garnered a cup of coffee three years before with the Mets. Between the two clubs, the 29-year-old has tallied 12 2/3 major league frames. He’s allowed 11 runs (10 earned) with eight strikeouts and four walks over that stretch.
Despite last year’s fairly impressive minor league showing, Hanhold never got an MLB look in Pittsburgh. At season’s end, he qualified for minor league free agency. He figures to open next season with the Chihuahuas as a bullpen depth option. Through parts of four Triple-A campaigns, Hanhold owns a 4.60 ERA with a 20.1% strikeout percentage.
Kaz
I can’t be the only one that read Eric Hosmer, can I?
kevro2139
you are not alone
LarsAnderson
I am here with you
kevro2139
Quickly reading the notification and seeing Padres, Eric H… agree to deal, worried me.
towinagain
Gotta hand it to him. May have a solid bounce back year. Lead the team in holds
Brew’88
He should own a climbing gym
Pads Fans
Wondering if Padres change him from throwing 60% FB and 25% sliders to 60% sliders and 25% FB?
k0o56 2
They shook hands in agreement?
Bill M
Yeah & that’s why the deal’s on hold
joefleury
Literally just came to this article for the puns. Lol
They must sign Brad Hand now so Handhold and Hand can be paired at the back end of their rotation.
deadspy3 2
I wanna Han your hold
LarsAnderson
Dutch hater
prov356
I hope he can make it to the majors on his own.
BSHH
Noone knows the future, but I dare one forecast: This contract will age much better than the previous one with an Eric H…
Gruß,
BSHH
PhanaticDuck26
awww, that’s cute.
Readyrob
Eric had a hanhold on Brad’s Hand!