San Diego Padres: Three Bold Predictions For 2018

San Diego Padres Bold Prediction No. 2 – Brad Hand will get forty saves in 2018

Brad Hand, the Friars’ 27-year-old closer has made the most of his time with the San Diego Padres. Since being selected off waivers by the Friars just after Opening Day in 2016, Hand has brought his lifetime ERA down from 4.71 over his time with Miami, to 3.92. This, of course, is the result of pitching to a sparkling 2.56 ERA during his two seasons with the Padres.

Brad Hand led the National League in appearances in 2016, his first full season as a reliever, with 82. He was used mostly out the setup role that year, moving into the closer spot in July of last season, after the Padres traded Brandon Maurer to the Kansas City Royals.

After taking over as closer, Brad Hand thrived. He finished out the season with a gorgeous 2.16 ERA, 21 saves (from July on!), and an 11.8 K/BB ratio, improving on his previous career-high of 11.2 K/BB, set the previous season.

With the added talent on this year’s edition of the San Diego Padres (with more to possibly come), Hand is in a fantastic situation, both personally and professionally. After signing a three-year, $19.75 million contract extension last month, he can simply go out there and pitch.

With nothing to worry about except for getting batters out and continuing to dominate the NL, it’s completely conceivable that Brad Hand could amass forty saves over the course of 162 games for the San Diego Padres.

Heck, if they add Eric Hosmer and another potent bat to come off of the bench, he’s got an outside chance at fifty saves. That may be wishful thinking, though.