Steve Hammond

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #27 prospect in 2008
  No pitcher in the system slipped more in 2007 than Hammond, who ranked No. 7 on this list a year ago after pitching effectively in Double-A in his first full pro season. According to the Brewers, his slide had a unique cause--Hammond worked too hard. He spent too much time in the weight room, bulking up and slowing down his delivery. He wasn't a power pitcher to begin with, succeeding while throwing 88-92 mph, but his fastball lost some velocity last year. His command wasn't as sharp with his fastball, slider or changeup. His secondary pitches are both average at best and were less consistent than in the past. In an effort to help Hammond sharpen his pitches, the Brewers sent him to the Arizona Fall League, but he got hit hard there as well. It's becoming increasingly likely that Hammond's future will be as a reliever than as a starter. He would have advanced to Triple-A had he put together a strong first half in 2007. Now he must prove in the spring that he belongs at that level to begin this season. He'll turn 26 early in the season, so he needs to regroup quickly.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #7 prospect in 2007
  Hammond began his college career at Sacramento CC in 2001, but had bone spurs removed from his elbow and didn't pitch for Sac City again until 2004. He worked just 24 innings after transferring to Long Beach State in 2005, but he caught the eye of the Brewers, who signed him for $30,000 as a sixth-rounder. Put in the rotation to get innings, he has thrived as a starter, reaching Double-A in his first full season. Hammond's fastball sits at 88-92 mph and tops out at 94, and he has maintained his velocity while moving from reliever to starter. He spots his fastball well and complements it with an improving changeup. He throws strikes and pitches with poise. Hammond's slider is average at best. Milwaukee wants him to continue starting, so he'll need three reliable pitches to continue to move through the system. He got a late start by signing at age 23, though concerns about his age were mitigated when he pitched well in Double-A. Hammond will continue to work out of the rotation this year in Triple-A and projects as a No. 4 starter. He also could be an asset in the bullpen, which would get him to the majors more quickly. He could make his big league debut late in 2007.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #18 prospect in 2006
  Hammond has a college player's maturity and experience to go with a powerful, relatively fresh left arm. Hammond began his college career at juco power Sacramento City College in 2001, but had bone spurs removed from his elbow that year. He didn't return to full strength until the summer of 2004 in the Central Illinois Collegiate League, then transferred to Long Beach State, where he worked as a lefty specialist. Because he worked just 24 innings during the spring, Milwaukee used him as a starter after he signed for $30,000 as a sixth-round pick. Hammond could move quickly in either a rotation or bullpen role. He has an average 88-92 mph fastball that sits closer to 92-94 when he relieves. He's tweaked his breaking ball, picking up a slider from roving pitching instructor Jim Rooney, and has quickly made it an out pitch. The Brewers have been aggressive with the athletic 23-year-old, giving him time in the Arizona Fall League, and he should begin 2006 as a Double-A starter.