Good News For Phillies Fans
Posted by Johnny Goodtimes on March 3rd, 2010
According to Jayson Stark in an interview on Mike and Mike in the Morning (audio inside Mets story): “Cole Hamels showed up last spring throwing 77 mph…This winter, he has been a man on a mission…I’m telling you, he is throwing harder in the bullpen sessions than he threw in the games last spring.” (Nod of the cap to beerleaguer for sending us to this interview.) In an article in the Delco Times, Raul Ibanez had this to say about Hamels: “Honestly, he looks great,” workout maven Raul Ibanez said, one of four hitters to face Hamels Friday. “From watching him, he’s looks stronger. He looks thicker than he did before. He looks like he’s in really good shape and excited to get going. He’s in a really good frame of mind.”
He worked on two new pitches in the offseason, a curve and a cutter, and is expected to use one or both in the upcoming season. Hamels will test his new pitches on Friday, as he faces the Blue Jays.
I’ll make you a deal: If Hamels reverts to his 2008 form, I will shut the hell up about Cliff Lee. If Hamels is back to his old self and the Phils don’t get decimated by injuries, the pennant should be in the bag by August.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Know this is an old post now, but the Happ/BABIP piece reminded me. Look at Hamels, BABIP from 2007, 2008, and 2009: .282 / .262 / .322. Sure, nothing’s proscriptive about BABIP, but it’s worth keeping in mind that a BABIP of .262 or .322 are simply not sustainable (keep in mind Greg Maddux’s career BABIP of .287). Sure, new pitches and better condition could make him a better pitcher, but my bet is on him having a year closer to his 2007 than his 2008. Which, quite frankly, Phillies fans should be pretty damn pleased with. [Full disclosure, I'm a Philly-born-and-bred Mets fan; don't ask.]