Two of the NL’s relief pitchers chosen for next week’s All-Star Game were metro-area high school products Pat Neshek of the Philadelphia Phillies and Brad Hand of the San Diego Padres.

Neshek, 36, is a Park Center grad and was drafted by the Twins in the sixth round in 2002. The Phillies are his sixth major league team. This will be his second All-Star Game. The righthander has a 1.39 ERA in 35 games this season.

Hand, 27, is a Chaska grad and was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the second round in 2008. He was claimed off waivers by the Padres last year. This will be his first All-Star Game. The lefthander has a 2.47 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 39 games this season.

News services