Scouting Jason Hammel again

Jason Hammel
6th Major League Season
28 years old
6'6" 200 pounds
Bats R/Throws R

Hammel was drafted by the Rays in 2002, and made his debut in 2006. He was considered a super-two and lost out on the 5th starter job to Jeff Niemann in 2009, hence the reason he was traded to the Rockies. He's 28-32 in his career, with a 5.08 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, but for the Rockies he's 20-17.

Hammel is a four-pitch pitcher, and he throws from a 3/4 arm slot. His location of his fastball has greatly improved, and he throws it between 90-94 (average 93). It does not have a lot of movement. His curveball is a plus pitch (77 mph) and he also throws a sweeping slider (84 mph). He has increased the use of his change-up (85 mph, 14% vs 6% of his pitches last year). His two best pitches this year are his slider and curve. His curveball use increases with 2 strikes, but he's not afraid to throw his slider either in that situation. Hammel has average K/9 rates (7.1 last year), but he doesn't get a lot of swing and misses (7.2% when league average is 8.5%). This is a rare case when those don't match up, and isn't a good sign for him to continue to get a bunch of strike outs. He has cut his walk rates significantly since joining the Rockies (2.14 and 2.32 versus 4+ with the Rays).

He faced the Mets April 11th, his second start of the year, and got a no decision, throwing 6 innings and allowing 4 runs (only 2 earned), on 6 hits, 1 walk and striking out 3. He had faced the Mets in his career once prior to this year (last August), and he threw 7 innings, but let up 8 hits and 4 runs to take the loss.

This year he's 3-1 in 6 starts (37 2/3 innings), 2.63 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. He's been great at leaving runners on base (83%), and that helps to have that great ERA. His FIP is 4.18. He has however, had three straight quality starts 6+ innings and 1 run or less.

A lot of people are still expecting big things out of Hammel (his FIP the past two years have been a solid 3.7 versus he ERAs of 4.33 and 4.81), as he has had very high BAPIP (.326 and .328). He's a solid #4/5 starter that is still learning how to pitch and gain confidence.