Jason Hammel

2013

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2012

After two seasons in Colorado where the skills didn't line up with the results, Hammel regressed considerably last year thanks to a depleted strikeout rate (from 7.14 K/9IP to 4.97) and spike in walks (2.38 BB/9IP to 3.59). The lost whiffs might be attributed to a swinging-strike percentage that has steadily declined during his three-year stint in Colorado (9.5 in 2009, 7.2 in 2010 and 6.5 in 2011). Now the longest tenured member of the Rockies rotation, he will need to rediscover his arsenal quickly to avoid shifting to relief work when the likes of Drew Pomeranz, Alex White and Tyler Chatwood are ready to cement their starting roles. Once a sleeper thanks to good control and the ability to induce groundballs, Hammel is now one to avoid because he's simply too hittable to succeed. His chances of finding success in a hitter-friendly home park against tough competition in the American League East hardly improve after he was acquired by the Orioles in early February.

2011

Hammel's 2010 season was pretty similar to his 2009. He again started 30 games and finished with 10 wins, yet this time he had a 4.81 ERA and 1.396 WHIP. He increased his strikeout rate for the second season in a row (7.1 K/9IP), despite his K/BB ratio (3.0) remaining stable. He helped fantasy owners in the first half of the season with a 7-3 record and 4.08 record, but faded down the stretch with a 3-6 record and 5.56 ERA. And for whatever reason, he performed better at home (4.07 ERA) than on the road (5.71 ERA). As long as he is able to maintain his command and groundball rate (46.7 percent), Hammel should be able to build upon his first two seasons as a member of the Rockies while working out of the back of their rotation.

2010

Jeff Niemann narrowly beat out Hammel for Tampa Bay's final rotation spot, which ultimately led to a trade which sent Hammel to Colorado. Hammel played out nicely as a back of the rotation starter, but his performance and statistics suffered greatly with his move to Coors Field. In 16 games at home, opposing batters knocked Hammel around to the tune of .330 with 12 home runs, earning Hammel a 5.73 ERA. He was an entirely different pitcher on the road, with a 3.13 ERA and just five homers allowed in 95 innings, so there's reason to believe that he'll be able to produce better overall numbers if he can start keeping the ball in the yard in the thin Denver air.

2009

Hammel started the year in the rotation thanks to injuries to Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza. Once those pitchers returned, the Rays had to create a bullpen role for Hammel, who was out of options and could not go to Triple-A without probably being claimed by another club. Hammel wound up as the best 11th pitcher on any AL roster in 2008, playing a key role in four extra-innings wins for the Rays (two wins, two saves). It's not clear what role the Rays have in mind for Hammel in 2009, since it's unlikely that he'll crack their rotation with David Price now up; Hammel could wind up back in long relief, or as trade bait.

2008

Hammel moved into the rotation in mid-July and actually finished strong in September (2-1, 4.09 in six starts, with one of those wins coming at Yankee Stadium). However, he'll face competition from Andy Sonnanstine, Jeff Niemann and perhaps others for a back-of-the-rotation role in the spring, and with other prospects on the horizon, the Rays might move Hammel to the bullpen for good in a middle-relief role.

2007

Hammel was rushed to Triple-A in 2005, but in 2006 showed he's a legitimate prospect with a great strikeout-to-walk ratio. As a reward, Hammel was rushed to the majors in late 2006, with predictable results. Still, he'll get a chance to crack the 2007 rotation, and he could develop into a serviceable fourth starter.

2006

He looked very good at Double-A last year, and wasn't overmatched at Triple-A. Hammel really needs one more year in the minors before he challenges for a spot in the big league rotation. The new Devil Rays brain trust is smart enough to know that, so he likely won't have more than a cup of coffee in the bigs this year.

2005

Hammel was having a great 2004 before he hurt his wrist in a fall during warm-ups in July and missed the rest of the year. He should be fine come spring and will start 2005 at Double-A, but could get a look-see in the bigs by September. Scouts rate his curveball as the best in the Rays organization.