Phils promote Hamels after brilliant stint with BlueClaws
By Mike White
Staff Writer

VERONICA YANKOWSKI Cole Hamels is a Lakewood BlueClaw no longer, after being promoted to Class A Clearwater following a short, yet impressive stint with the BlueClaws. The 19-year-old lefty was virtually unhittable in 13 starts for Lakewood and made a lasting impression on local baseball fans.

LAKEWOOD — It was only a matter of time before Cole Hamels took the next step toward getting to the Major Leagues.

The dominant Lakewood BlueClaws starter was promoted to Class A Clearwater of the Florida State League after just 13 starts. Hamels got the word on his leaving Lakewood following his final appearance Friday night against the Greensboro Bats.

Hamels leaves a long-lasting impression on coaches, fans and the front office. BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown can’t remember seeing a pitcher as poised and dominant as Hamels in his 10 years of working in minor league baseball.

"I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a kid come to a club and prove to be as dominant as Cole has since he arrived," Brown said. "His numbers while he was here were ridiculous. He is an outstanding talent in the organization. It was a pleasure to watch him pitch while he was a part of this squad. We’re always happy when we see a kid like Cole take the next step."

In his final start in a BlueClaws uniform, Hamels again posted eye-catching numbers. He gave up just one hit and struck out nine in six innings of work to figure in a no-decision as the BlueClaws went on to drop a 2-1 heartbreaker to Greensboro.

The 6-foot-3, 180-pound lefthander finishes with an overall mark of 6-1, which includes a 28-inning scoreless streak.

He had an ERA of 0.84 and a league-leading 115 strikeouts. He gave up 32 hits and walked just 25 in 74 2/3 innings.

Hamels allowed no earned runs in 10 of his 13 starts for Lakewood.

Hamels is gifted with a wide array of pitches for being just 19 years old.

His fastball has been clocked as high as 94 mph and his curve ball and change-up are pitches that make him a major league prospect in the near future.

"He’s got good stuff," Brown said.

"He throws hard and his off-speed pitches obviously have done an effective job of keeping the hitters in this league off balance, for the most part."

In addition to being selected the South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month back in June, twice Hamels was recognized as the SAL Pitcher of the Week.

Hamels has a number of memorable performances in his three-month tenure with the BlueClaws. Back on July 15, he struck out 11 batters and tossed six perfect innings as Lakewood downed the Delmarva Shorebirds, 5-1.

Ten times this season Hamels struck out 10 or more batters.

He had a season-high 13 strikeouts in a 3-0 victory over Hagerstown.

"Those were pretty special outings," Brown said.

Hamels got his first look at facing big-league hitters when he pitched for the Phillies in the Hall of Fame game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Hamels put forth a strong showing scattering three hits and giving up three runs, two earned. Hamels struck out nine batters and was voted the game’s most valuable player.

Hamels joins former Lakewood standout Gavin Floyd at Clearwater. Brown said Hamels’ exploits both on and off the field will be sorely missed.

"He is a great kid," Brown said. "When the Phillies draft players they look for good people and talented baseball players. In Cole, they certainly got both. He’s great with fans and signing autographs before games. He makes appearances and just promotes the organization. He did everything he could to get the community involved.

"Those people who did see him can say they saw one of the future greats."