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As manager Jack McKeon has said more than once over the past few days, "it's salesman time" for the Marlins. Before Florida wrapped up its series with Philadelphia on Sunday, McKeon said rookie Brad Hand will be given an opportunity to sell himself.
Hand will be slotted into Clay Hensley's spot in the rotation and is scheduled to start Wednesday against the Mets, while Hensley will shift to the bullpen.
"We’ve got Hensley back in the pen, so that gives us another guy that can give us two, three, four innings," McKeon said. "[Hensley] was kind of an emergency guy anyhow, but we used him as a fifth starter. But now we’ve got the kid [Hand] going, so it’ll be good to see him pitch."
Hand is 1-5 with a 4.23 ERA in nine starts this year, and he allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits in five innings against the Phillies on Friday. The lefty has been up and down between the majors and minors this season, as he started three games in June and July and a pair in August.
But now it appears Hand is in the rotation for good, and he will get a chance to start either four or five more games the rest of the way, depending on how the Marlins handle off days and next week's doubleheader. McKeon said the front office has discussed the possibility of promoting another staring pitcher once the minor-league season ends on Monday.
Hand said he was “excited” about the “great experience, great opportunity” to prove himself and potentially secure a spot in the 2012 rotation.
“I’m just trying to finish the season strong and hopefully carry it into next season,” Hand said. “I feel like I’ve gotten — compared to my first start was pretty good, but after that it was kind of iffy — better since then.”
What are some of the things Hand has been working on?
“Throwing strikes, getting ahead, keeping the ball down and throwing the offspeed for strikes in the zone more often. Consistency is always a big thing. Some innings you’ll be really good, and then some innings it’s not there and trying to find it a little bit. Consistency throughout the hole game and get deeper in the game.”
Hand will be slotted into Clay Hensley's spot in the rotation and is scheduled to start Wednesday against the Mets, while Hensley will shift to the bullpen.
"We’ve got Hensley back in the pen, so that gives us another guy that can give us two, three, four innings," McKeon said. "[Hensley] was kind of an emergency guy anyhow, but we used him as a fifth starter. But now we’ve got the kid [Hand] going, so it’ll be good to see him pitch."
Hand is 1-5 with a 4.23 ERA in nine starts this year, and he allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits in five innings against the Phillies on Friday. The lefty has been up and down between the majors and minors this season, as he started three games in June and July and a pair in August.
But now it appears Hand is in the rotation for good, and he will get a chance to start either four or five more games the rest of the way, depending on how the Marlins handle off days and next week's doubleheader. McKeon said the front office has discussed the possibility of promoting another staring pitcher once the minor-league season ends on Monday.
Hand said he was “excited” about the “great experience, great opportunity” to prove himself and potentially secure a spot in the 2012 rotation.
“I’m just trying to finish the season strong and hopefully carry it into next season,” Hand said. “I feel like I’ve gotten — compared to my first start was pretty good, but after that it was kind of iffy — better since then.”
What are some of the things Hand has been working on?
“Throwing strikes, getting ahead, keeping the ball down and throwing the offspeed for strikes in the zone more often. Consistency is always a big thing. Some innings you’ll be really good, and then some innings it’s not there and trying to find it a little bit. Consistency throughout the hole game and get deeper in the game.”
Jack McKeon: Brad Hand will take Clay Hensley's rotation spot, scheduled to start Wednesday
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