In April of 2016 the Padres needed another pitcher because Matt Thornton went on the disabled list so they plucked a little-known left-hander off waivers from the Marlins.
Less than a year and a half later Brad Hand is an All-Star.
It's the first career All-Star selection for Hand, who is the only Padre going to Miami for the game. The former waiver claim traded in his curve ball for a slider and became one of the best relievers in the game.
Over the last two seasons only ALCS Most Valuable Player Andrew Miller has more strikeouts as a relief pitcher than Hand does. What will make him even more attractive to National League manager Joe Maddon of the Cubs in the Midsummer Classic is Hand is as versatile as they come. He can be a long reliever or even a closer.
Of course, a guy like this is drawing all kinds of trade interest so he could take the same route Drew Pomeranz did last year. You may recall Pomeranz was a San Diego All-Star before being traded to the Red Sox right after pitching in the ASG at Petco Park. The possibility of Hand being dealt in his first All-Star season is very real.
Here is the entire list of 2017 All-Stars and Final Vote candidates (starters in bold):
AMERICAN LEAGUE
PITCHERS
Dellin Betances, NYY
Yu Darvish, TEX
Michael Fulmer, DET
Dallas Keuchel, HOU
Craig Kimbrel, BOS
Corey Kluber, CLE
Lance McCullers Jr., HOU
Andrew Miller, CLE
Chris Sale, BOS
Ervin Santana, MIN
Luis Severino, NYY
Jason Vargas, KC
CATCHERS (2)
Salvador Perez, KC
Gary Sanchez, NYY
INFIELDERS (9)
Yonder Alonso, OAK
Jose Altuve, HOU
Starlin Castro, NYY
Carlos Correa, HOU
Francisco Lindor, CLE
José Ramirez, CLE
Miguel Sano, MIN
Jonathan Schoop, BAL
Justin Smoak, SEA
OUTFIELDERS (6)
Mookie Betts, BOS
Michael Brantley, CLE
Avisaíl Garcia, CWS
Aaron Judge, NYY
George Springer, HOU
Mike Trout, LAA
DESIGNATED HITTERS (2)
Nelson Cruz, SEA
Corey Dickerson, TB
2017 ESURANCE MLB ALL-STAR GAME AL FINAL VOTE CANDIDATES:
SS Elvis Andrus, TEX
SS Xander Bogaerts, BOS
SS Didi Gregorius, NYY
1B Logan Morrison, TB
3B Mike Moustakas, KC
NATIONAL LEAGUE
PITCHERS (12)
Wade Davis, CHI
Zack Greinke, AZ
Brad Hand, SD
Greg Holland, COL
Kenley Jansen, LAD
Clayton Kershaw, LAD
Corey Knebel, MIL
Carlos Martinez, STL
Pat Neshek, PHI
Robbie Ray, AZ
Max Scherzer, WAS
Stephen Strasburg, WAS
CATCHERS (2)
Yadier Molina, STL
Buster Posey, SF
INFIELDERS (10)
Nolan Arenado, COL
Zack Cozart, CIN
Paul Goldschmidt, AZ
Josh Harrison, PIT
Jake Lamb, AZ
D.J. LeMahieu, COL
Daniel Murphy, WAS
Corey Seager, LAD
Joey Votto, CIN
Ryan Zimmerman, WAS
OUTFIELDERS (7)
Cody Bellinger, LAD
Charlie Blackmon, COL
Michael Conforto, NYM
Bryce Harper, WAS
Ender Inciarte, ATL
Marcell Ozuna, MIA
Giancarlo Stanton, MIA
2017 ESURANCE MLB ALL-STAR GAME NL FINAL VOTE CANDIDATES:
1B Justin Bour, MIA
3B Kris Bryant, CHI
3B Anthony Rendon, WSH
1B Mark Reynolds, COL
3B Justin Turner, LAD
