• Full name Colbert Michael Hamels
  • Born 12/27/1983 in San Diego, CA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: L
  • School Rancho Bernardo
  • Debut 05/12/2006
  • Drafted in the 1st round (17th overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2002 (signed for $2,000,000).
    View Draft Report
    Hamels qualifies as one of the feel-good stories of the spring. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound lefthander broke the humerus in his left arm as a sophomore and missed all of last season. It's not the same injury that ended the careers of major leaguer lefthanders Tom Browning, Dave Dravecky and Tony Saunders; Hamels first injured the arm in an off-field accident before aggravating it while he was pitching. He has come back stronger than ever this year, and his performance has rivaled any high school pitcher in the country. He went 6-0, 0.48 with 77 strikeouts in his first 43 innings. He has excellent command of three pitches: an 89-92 mph fastball that has topped out at 94, an outstanding overhand curve and a major league-caliber changeup. He also has a confident mound presence, an easy, mechanically sound delivery and a strong pickoff move. Scouts project even more improvement, and he has shown no fear of a recurrence of his injury. Still, several clubs are wary of investing in a first-round pick with Hamels' medical history. The hometown Padres have a strong interest, as do teams with extra picks. San Diego's team doctor helped treat Hamels and says his arm is stronger than before the accident. The circumstances of the injury remain a bit of a mystery, and Hamels will be one of the most scrutinized picks in the draft in recent years. His selection will be based as much on medical judgments as on ability.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Minor League Top Prospects

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Changeup in the National League in 2014
  • Rated Best Changeup in the National League in 2013
  • Rated Best Changeup in the National League in 2012
  • Rated Best Changeup in the National League in 2011
  • Rated Best Control in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
  • Rated Best Changeup in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
  • Rated Best Control in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005
  • Rated Best Changeup in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005

Career Transactions

  • LHP Cole Hamels retired.
  • El Paso Chihuahuas transferred LHP Cole Hamels from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
  • El Paso Chihuahuas placed LHP Cole Hamels on the 7-day injured list.
  • LHP Cole Hamels assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas.
  • San Diego Padres signed free agent LHP Cole Hamels to a minor league contract.
  • El Paso Chihuahuas activated LHP Cole Hamels.
  • LHP Cole Hamels roster status changed by San Diego Padres.

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