Mustangs Baseball 
Pioneer Press Player of the Year - 2008
Chaska pitcher Brad Hand is the 2008 Pioneer Press baseball player of the year
Second-round pick already signing autographs and preparing for the pros
By Ray Richardson
rrichardson@pioneerpress.com
Article Last Updated: 06/17/2008 12:51:39 PM CDT
Chaska Hawks pitcher Brad Hand bumps fists with his teammates prior to their Class 3 quarterfinal game against
The last time there was this much excitement about a high school baseball player in
Former Cretin-Derham Hall star Joe Mauer was taken No. 1 by the Twins in 2001. Chaska pitcher Brad Hand wasn't the top pick two weeks ago, but as a hard-throwing left-hander, the 2008 Pioneer Press prep baseball player of the year attracted a lot of attention.
A second-round pick of the Florida Marlins, Hand seems ready to get an early jump on his quest for a major league career. Hand's father, Lon, said there's a "good chance" a contract agreement could be reached later this week.
"I'm ready for the challenge," Hand said. "I've made my mind up that I'm not going to college."
FINANCIAL FUTURE
Hand was the 52nd overall pick in the draft. He is the highest draft pick from
STELLAR STATS
Hand finished the season with an 8-2 record, two saves and a 0.61 earned-run average. He allowed only six earned runs in 68 innings. He also batted .352 this season with eight homers and 24 runs batted in.
His best performance was a complete-game, three-hit shutout against
"That's the game I'll remember the most," Hand said. "It was a great atmosphere. ... A lot of people were there, and we qualified for the state tournament."
'WHO'S GOT A PEN?'
After beating Rosemount on Friday for the Class AAA consolation title, Hand gathered with his teammates on the field for a final chat.
The conversation turned into an autograph session. Many of Hand's teammates asked him to autograph baseballs and other items for souvenirs and memories.
246
Career strikeouts (school record)
105
Strikeouts this season
94
Highest speed in miles per hour measured on his fastball
18
Career wins
14
Career homers (school record)
8
Home runs this season (school record)
7
Complete games pitched this season
3
Shutouts this season
0
Number of home runs allowed this season
HAND FILE
Age: 18
School: Chaska
Position: Pitcher, first baseman
Family: Father, Lon; mother, Barb; sister, Morgan, 21
College choice:
THEY SAID IT
"This is my 11th year of coaching, and by far, Brad is the best pitcher I've worked with. He's also the best hitter in high school I've seen since Joe Mauer."
Troy Stein, Chaska coach