AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.
Create a link to this page
Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:
It's tough to blame the Phillies for being cautious with pitching prospect Cole Hamels. Staying healthy hasn't been the 22-year-old lefthander's forte; elbow problems, a broken hand and, this spring, back troubles have kept Hamels off the fast track to the majors. In recent weeks, though, he has forced his way back into the express lane.
The organization initially assigned the slender Hamels (6-3, 170) to Class A Clearwater of the Florida State League so he could pitch in warm weather. A 2003 first-round draft pick, he quickly showed he was too good for that level. Using a sneaky fastball to keep hitters off-balance, Hamels racked up 29 strikeouts and posted a 1.77 ERA in 20 innings.
That earned him a quick promotion to Class AAA Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre, where he's proving to ...