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.
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