| Jason Hammel | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Hammel with the Chicago Cubs | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1982-09-02)September 2, 1982 (age 43) Greenville, South Carolina, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 11, 2006, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 27, 2018, for the Kansas City Royals | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 96–114 |
| Earned run average | 4.62 |
| Strikeouts | 1,428 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Jason Aaron Hammel (born September 2, 1982) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theTampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays,Colorado Rockies,Baltimore Orioles,Oakland Athletics,Chicago Cubs, andKansas City Royals.
Hammel was born inGreenville, South Carolina, but raised inPort Orchard, Washington. He attendedSouth Kitsap High School inPort Orchard, Washington, and led the team to a 20–1 season in 2000 as the number one starter in the rotation. Hammel was drafted in the 23rd round by theSeattle Mariners, but opted instead to attendTreasure Valley Community College inOntario, Oregon.[1][2] He played collegiate summer league ball for theWenatchee AppleSox of theWest Coast League.[3]
TheTampa Bay Devil Rays selected Hammel in the 10th round of the2002 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut on April 11, 2006, against theBaltimore Orioles and got his first victory as a starter on September 2, 2007, against theNew York Yankees.[4] On July 17, 2006, while with theDurham Bulls, he threw 8 1/3 innings of a combined no hitter on July 17, 2006 withJuan Salas getting the final two outs, beating theColumbus Clippers 4-1.
On April 5, 2009, the Rays traded Hammel to theColorado Rockies for pitching prospectAneury Rodríguez. On October 11, 2009, Hammel started game three of the2009 National League Division Series against thePhiladelphia Phillies. Though he looked strong initially, he ended up allowing four earned runs and the Rockies went on to lose the game.[5]
Hammel agreed to a two-year contract with the Rockies before the 2011season.[6]
The Rockies traded Hammel to theBaltimore Orioles, along with pitcherMatt Lindstrom, for pitcherJeremy Guthrie on February 6, 2012. In his Orioles debut, he took a no-hit bid into the 8th inning, with the Orioles eventually winning, 3–1, over theMinnesota Twins.[7]
On June 16, 2012, Hammel led the Orioles to a 5–0 victory over theAtlanta Braves, holding the Braves to one hit over nine innings. It was the first complete game shutout of his career and the first complete game by an Orioles pitcher in the2012 season.[8]
On July 15, 2012, Hammel was placed on the 15-day disabled list to have a right knee surgery.[9]
Hammel started for the Orioles onOpening Day in 2013.[10]
On June 1, 2013, during a game against theTigers, Hammel was ejected for the first time in his career, by home plate umpireHunter Wendelstedt. Hammel had given up three consecutive home runs and his next pitch hitMatt Tuiasosopo in the shoulder with a slider.[11]
On January 31, 2014, Hammel signed a one-year, $6 million contract with theChicago Cubs.[12] Before being traded, he compiled an 8–5 win–loss record to go with a 2.98 ERA and 104 SO.
On July 4, 2014, the Cubs traded Hammel, along with pitcherJeff Samardzija, to theOakland Athletics in exchange for topshortstop prospectAddison Russell, pitcherDan Straily, outfielderBilly McKinney, and a player to be named later.[13][14] After the trade with the A's, he recorded a 4.26 ERA and a 2–6 win–loss record.
On December 8, 2014, after becoming a free agent following the end of the 2014 season, Hammel agreed to terms on a two-year, $20 million deal to return to the Chicago Cubs. Hammel finished the 2015 season with a 10–7 record and a 3.74 ERA. He had the highestline drive percentage allowed (24.5%) of all major league pitchers.[15] In game four of the2015 National League Division Series vs. theSt. Louis Cardinals, Hammel was the starting pitcher and pitched only 3 innings allowing three hits, two runs, one home run, and walked three batters with a no decision in the Cubs' 6–4 win over the Cardinals. Hammel also was the starting pitcher in game four of the2015 National League Championship Series vs. theNew York Mets. He only pitched1+1⁄3 innings, allowing four hits, five runs, two home runs, and walked two batters with the loss in the Cubs' 8–3 loss against the Mets.[16]
Hammel finished the first half of the 2016 MLB season with a solid 7–5 record and a 3.46 ERA. Hammel finished the season with a 15–10 record and a 3.83 ERA.[17] Although he was not included on the Cubs' postseason roster,[18] Hammel received his first World Series ring.[19]
On November 5, 2016, the Cubs declined Hammel's option for 2017 and he became a free agent.[20]
On February 8, 2017, Hammel signed a two-year, $16 million contract with theKansas City Royals. The contract includes a mutual option for the 2019 season.[21] In his first season in Kansas City, Hammel struggled throughout the season, posting a record of 8-13 with a career worst 5.29 ERA in180+1⁄3 innings.
Hammel began the 2018 season in the rotation but posted an ERA of 6.15 in 18 starts and was demoted to the bullpen. Overall, in 39 appearances with 18 starts, Hammel finished the season with a 6.02 ERA and a record of 4-14 in 127 innings.
On October 30, 2018, the Royals declined his 2019 option, making him a free agent.[22]
On February 1, 2019, Hammel signed a minor-league contract with theTexas Rangers.[23] On March 22, 2019, theTexas Rangers announced that Hammel had made the opening day roster.[24]
On March 23, 2019, Hammel announced his retirement from baseball.[25]
Hammel throws a mix of five pitches: afour-seam fastball at 92–95 mph, atwo-seam fastball (his lead pitch) at the same speed, a slider in the mid 80s, a curveball in the upper 70s, and achangeup in the high 80s. He uses all of his pitches against left-handed hitters, but eliminates the changeup against right-handers. His chief off-speed pitch with 2 strikes is the slider.[26]
Prior to the 2012 season Hammel relied mostly on the four-seamer, slider, and curve. In 2012, he shifted to a sinker/slider focus, with the other pitches playing less of a role.[27]
All of his pitches except the changeup produced above-averagewhiff rates in 2012,[26] leading to a career-highK/9 rate of 8.6[28]
Hammel met Elissa Nichols in 2006 and they married in 2009.[29] Together they have a son and a daughter.[30] They resided in theLake View neighborhood ofChicago but sold the home in 2021 and moved to theNortheastern United States.[31][32][33]
