Prospect #3--Cole Hamels

3. Cole Hamels, LHSP, CLW, 21
How acquired: Draft 2002, Rd. 1 (17 overall)
Percentage chance of playing in the majors in the future: 100% if healthy, all things considered 50%
Ceiling and chances of reaching it: Ace Rotation Anchor, 35%
Career Minor League ERA: 1.31; K/9: 13.15
6/30 Minor league ERA: 0.00; K/9: 10.64
Comparable major Leaguers: Ron Guidry, Sandy Koufax (go ahead, rip me), tgo: Randy Jones (with more velocity)
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My comments: Hamels has the highest ceiling of any pitcher currently in the minors, but, of course, there are serious injury concerns. He throws a fastball that touches 96 and sits in the low 90s, a great change, and a curve (although his velocity is reportedly down a little right now, which is OK by me--let's stay within the body's physical limits). He's a bulldog competitor on the field, but, as most of you know, he has had some maturity issues off the field, possibly going back to his high-school arm injury. Will Kimmey of Baseball America on Hamels' Strengths: "His best pitch might be his plus-plus changeup, which was neck-and-neck with Ryan Madson’s as the best in the organization and possibly the minors. Hamels displays exceptional control of his changeup at such a young age, and it really fades away from hitters. Hamels shows a very businesslike mentality on the mound, with no great highs or lows. He’s a great athlete, allowing him to repeat his delivery with ease, hold runners and field his position well." Gordon Heimuller, Phils roving pitching coordinator on Hamels' 2005 debut: “You don’t know how nice it was to see. Cole was having fun out there and looking like the guy I saw a year and a half ago. I wouldn’t call it midseason form, but it was pretty good.” Arbuckle on the chances Hamels will go to Reading: “If Cole is dominating the league, I don’t want him sitting there bored. But let’s see what he does first.”