The education of Cole Hamels
After Friday's 5-1 victory over Boston, a reporter asked Cole Hamels to explain what has changed. The talented but troubled lefthander has pitched well ever since April 23, a start in Arizona that left Hamels sullen. "You mean home run derby?" Hamels said, smiling. Yes, home run derby. Hamels allowed four home runs in the span of seven batters and simply looked lost. After the game, he looked more frustrated with himself than ever before in 2010. Well, how about this: In the month of May, Cole Hamels has a 2.36 ERA in 26 2/3 innings. He is 3-0 in four starts. He has 24 strikeouts, 10 walks and has allowed just three home runs. And if you take away one really, really bad inning against Atlanta on May 9 (I know, you can always say this), Hamels looks even more impressive. The numbers go down to a 1.40 ERA in 25 2/3 innings. So what changed? "I try not to throw any pitches down the middle," Hamels said, coyly. No, but really... "From Arizona, I learned a lot," he said. "Most of the home runs I gave up were cutters down the middle. So I've learned how to adjust and throw that pitch." The Pitch f/x data from Major League Baseball suggests Hamels has thrown more of his secondary pitches in May -- with a heavier reliance on curveballs than in the first month of the season. Granted, Pitch f/x data can be shaky, especially when it comes to identifying cutters because it has fastball movement and velocity. In his first four starts, Hamels threw his cutter 8.0 percent of the time and his curveball 6.5 percent of the time. In his last five starts, Hamels has thrown the curveball 10.2 percent of the time and his cutter 8.5 percent of the time. That means less of the fastball and change-up combo. The cutter is a pitch Hamels began throwing competitively in spring training this year. It's an easier grip to master than most, pitching coach Rich Dubee said, and that's why Hamels adopted it as his fourth pitch. But Dubee didn't want to stress too much reliance on the cutter. Hamels' curveball was still a viable pitch and he didn't want the pitcher to lose sight of that. Early in the season, it looked as if that's what was happening. Now, it could be a combination of this: Hamels is using the curveball more while using the cutter in smarter spots. He's locating it far better and it truly has become a decent secondary option for him to use. Already, Hamels looks closer to the 2008 version than the 2009 one. If we use nine starts as the reference point, take a look at Hamels over the last three seasons: 2010: 9 GS, 57 1/3 IP, 60 H, 20 BB, 60 K, 3.92 ERA 2009: 9 GS, 48 1/3 IP, 58 H, 10 BB, 50 K, 5.21 ERA 2008: 9 GS, 65 1/3 IP, 49 H, 19 BB, 54 K, 2.89 ERA His WHIP is almost exactly the same from 2009 (1.41) to 2010 (1.40). Here's one telling stat: Hamels' line drive percentage is down through nine starts. In 2010 it is 18 percent compared to 24 percent in 2009. And with adding a new pitch, no one expected Hamels to figure out how to use all four pitches the right way immediately. It will continue to be something he tinkers with. In May, it has worked.
The education of Cole Hamels
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
After Friday's 5-1 victory over Boston, a reporter asked Cole Hamels to explain what has changed. The talented but troubled lefthander has pitched well ever since April 23, a start in Arizona that left Hamels sullen.
"You mean home run derby?" Hamels said, smiling.
Yes, home run derby. Hamels allowed four home runs in the span of seven batters and simply looked lost. After the game, he looked more frustrated with himself than ever before in 2010.
Well, how about this: In the month of May, Cole Hamels has a 2.36 ERA in 26 2/3 innings. He is 3-0 in four starts. He has 24 strikeouts, 10 walks and has allowed just three home runs.
And if you take away one really, really bad inning against Atlanta on May 9 (I know, you can always say this), Hamels looks even more impressive. The numbers go down to a 1.40 ERA in 25 2/3 innings.
So what changed?
"I try not to throw any pitches down the middle," Hamels said, coyly.
No, but really...
"From Arizona, I learned a lot," he said. "Most of the home runs I gave up were cutters down the middle. So I've learned how to adjust and throw that pitch."
The Pitch f/x data from Major League Baseball suggests Hamels has thrown more of his secondary pitches in May -- with a heavier reliance on curveballs than in the first month of the season. Granted, Pitch f/x data can be shaky, especially when it comes to identifying cutters because it has fastball movement and velocity.
In his first four starts, Hamels threw his cutter 8.0 percent of the time and his curveball 6.5 percent of the time.
In his last five starts, Hamels has thrown the curveball 10.2 percent of the time and his cutter 8.5 percent of the time. That means less of the fastball and change-up combo.
The cutter is a pitch Hamels began throwing competitively in spring training this year. It's an easier grip to master than most, pitching coach Rich Dubee said, and that's why Hamels adopted it as his fourth pitch.
But Dubee didn't want to stress too much reliance on the cutter. Hamels' curveball was still a viable pitch and he didn't want the pitcher to lose sight of that. Early in the season, it looked as if that's what was happening.
Now, it could be a combination of this: Hamels is using the curveball more while using the cutter in smarter spots. He's locating it far better and it truly has become a decent secondary option for him to use.
Already, Hamels looks closer to the 2008 version than the 2009 one.
If we use nine starts as the reference point, take a look at Hamels over the last three seasons:
2010: 9 GS, 57 1/3 IP, 60 H, 20 BB, 60 K, 3.92 ERA
2009: 9 GS, 48 1/3 IP, 58 H, 10 BB, 50 K, 5.21 ERA
2008: 9 GS, 65 1/3 IP, 49 H, 19 BB, 54 K, 2.89 ERA
His WHIP is almost exactly the same from 2009 (1.41) to 2010 (1.40). Here's one telling stat: Hamels' line drive percentage is down through nine starts. In 2010 it is 18 percent compared to 24 percent in 2009.
And with adding a new pitch, no one expected Hamels to figure out how to use all four pitches the right way immediately. It will continue to be something he tinkers with.
In May, it has worked.
for all the analysis, i think the whole season comes down to hamels. i cannot imagine the phis losing a 7 game series with halladay and a '08 hamels.— jb99- Hamels has pitched great this month and looks to have a huge year. By the way, Cliff Lee gave up SEVEN earned runs last night. Just trying to keep it real.— matty177
- if only people could stop complaining about Cole long enough to realize the team is 9-2 in his starts and he's top 5 in the league in strikeouts. 26 years old and still improving. meanwhile Cliff Lee got manhandled last night. by the Padres
Comment removed.- *7-2
- All goes back to youth and having your early success doubted. I don't care what anybody says, there is no way somebody can be as dominant as he was in late 08 and just forget how to pitch. He was brought down to earth last year and it will turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to him. Cardinal rule of baseball - NEVER give up on a lefty, especially one with the pedigree of clutch like Hamels. And I agree with the post above, he is the key to this year, and beyond.— phillyjeffsr
Hamels had a lot to learn, and he appears to have learned a lot. As one who was really down on the Cliff Lee trade because it left the Phils relying so much on Hamels, I have to admit I'm impressed. (Still wish they'd kept Lee, though.)- Halladay,Hamels and wHo. The 3H Club. Coming to a playoff series near you this Fall.— Rick Wise Guy
- matty177, yeah Cliff Lee did give up a bunch of earned runs last night but a lot of those came later in the game after the M's have a huge lead. Even the best pitchers don't always pitch their best with huge leads. Oh and Lee did win the game, so I'm not really sure what your point is.— wildbill99
- wildbill99, just let it go...— Timmy
- wildbill: The point is the same as last September when Lee had an OVER 7 ERA. When Lee does get hit, he gets hit very hard and will give up a number of runs. That is why he is not near Halladay's level. The Phillies were never going to sing him at age 32 to 5-7 years at well over a 100 million. He is not worth anything close to that. I will keep a 26 year old Hamels who has his best years ahead of him and he costs a lot less.— matty177
- Amen matty— phillyjeffsr
- he has become a 6 inning pitcher at the tender age of 26,avg 3 walks per game,cant win on the road,cant get rightys out and has displayed the nerve racking tendacy to throw way to many pitches and way to many homers,number 2?more like 4 at best— lifemaster
Not only that, but Lee would not go on short rest to stay matched with Sabathia in the WS. He had a chance to step up and pitch like a true ace does, and he pussied out. Halladay will go games 1-4-7 in the next WS and he owns the Yankees.- >>The talented but troubled lefthander<< ...Hamels is not now nor has he ever been "troubled." In journalistic circles, that adjective is reserved for people who are battling trying personal circumstances like substance abuse or personality disorders.— BySaam
- It's only been a month. I hope he keeps it going. A healthy Halladay and Hamels will make the starting rotation very tough in October.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- Why is lifemaster an idiot? Because he just listed 6 reasons why he thinks Hamels is a 4 and not 2?? Let's hear your reasons if you have any besides,"you are an idiot." I'm encouraged by Hamels last few starts but he's still not where he needs to be - yet. But no matter how well he does this season there's no denying that the Phillies should have keep Lee for $9 million this year and let him walk and collect a first round pick and a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds as compensation. Could you imagine a Halladay, Lee, Hamels rotation??— F. Harry Stowe
- It is called pitching/playing smarter.— sepsl45
- Harry Stowe, in order to get a first round pick and a sandwich pick the player you are losing has to be a Type A FA. There is not guarantee Lee will be a Type A. Lee had a 14-13 record last year. This year he already missed a few starts and from time to time he has a string of bad outings. Remember last year with the Phils? He already is behind in almost all categories (wins, innings pitched, strikeouts), with the exception of ERA, who happens to stand around 3.40 right now. He just got shelled the other night. His CY year won't be taken into consideration because MLB ranks FA types based on the last two seasons. His great playoff performance last year won’t be taken into consideration either. Also, even if he is ranked as a Type A, that doesn’t mean the team will get the picks, because if the signing team happens to have one of the 15 worst records, that team won’t forfeit their picks because they are protected. The Mets could fall into that category. They still have a nice young nucleus, especially when Beltran comes back, have plenty of money and the willingness to spend, and have also brand new pitcher-friendly-stadium. So forget about Lee for now and enjoy Halladay and Hamels. Now, if Seattle wants to trade him (there is no chance he’ll resign with Mariners) to the Phillies, for lets say, Ibañez, Kendrik and prospect (Carpenter, Flande), then Amaro should grab him right away.— EL Zorro
- El Zorro - all good points. I think the possibility of Lee coming back is nil. They should go after Oswalt at this point.— F. Harry Stowe
