Skip to main content

2018 Phillies Prospect Countdown: #24 RHP J.D. Hammer

By
Hammer, image- MiLB.com
Acquired as part of the return from Colorado in last summer’s Pat Neshek trade, right-handed pitcher J.D. Hammer has stood out as a promising prospect that could prove valuable in the near future for the Phillies. 
 
Originally a 24th round draft pick on the Rockies in 2016, Hammer made his professional debut that year in the Rookie level Pioneer League for Grand Junction.  In 27 relief outings there, the Marshall product posted a 0-2 record with three saves, a 3.92 ERA while striking out 52 batters and walking 11 in 43 2/3 innings.
 
Following the 2016 season, Hammer, who had previously dealt with vision challenges and struggled with reading signals from his catchers, had an examination and was prescribed glasses, according to reports.  In a short amount of time, the new frames have become what Hammer is known for and have helped him excel. 
 
Last year, Hammer pitched at multiple levels during the regular season.  Opening the season in the Class A Sally League with Asheville, Hammer dominated, posting a 4-1 record with seven saves, a 1.20 ERA while striking out 47 batters and walking only five in 30 innings of work.  He was promoted in June to Class A Advanced Lancaster.  As a member of the JetHawks’ bullpen, the six-foot-three 215-pounder posted a 0-1 record with six saves and a 5.25 ERA. 
 
Following the trade to the Phillies, Hammer was assigned to Class A Advanced Clearwater.  He was a stud for the Threshers bullpen, posting a 2-0 record with a 0.57 ERA while striking out 20 and walking two in 12 games (15 2/3 innings).
 
This off-season Hammer pitched in the prestigious Arizona Fall League.  In 10 appearances for Glendale, he notched a 0.66 ERA with no decisions, three saves and a .093 batting average against.  

Hammer features a fastball that usually sits around 96 MPH and can touch higher.  He also offers a solid breaking pitch, a slider/curve hybrid with nice movement, and can pound the strike zone.   

Primarily a third baseman and shortstop in high school, Hammer didn't take the mound until he was in junior college.  The transition clearly worked well, as he's gotten pretty far as a hurler and couldn't muster much offense even at the JuCo level.
 
The 23-year-old will be among the crop of minor leaguers invited to big league spring training this year as a non-roster player.  If he impresses in Grapefruit League play the same as he did in the Fall League, Hammer could be on the fast track to a spot in the big leagues.


Keep track of this year's Phillies prospect countdown at this link.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Diekman a Late Addition to Mesa AFL Roster

By
On Wednesday, Phillies lefty pitching prospect Jacob Diekman made his Arizona Fall League debut. Diekman, who was drafted in the 30th round of the 2007 amateur draft, was assigned to Mesa late, in order to increase his 2010 innings total, according to Mesa hitting coach Mark Parent, who managed Diekman in Lakewood this past season. Diekman, 23, posted a 2-0 record with 1.90 ERA in 21 games with Class A Lakewood before being promoted to High-A Clearwater on June 24th. In 24 games with the Threshers, Diekman went 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA. Combined, Diekman tossed 55 2/3 innings and held opponents to a .187 batting average against at two levels in 2010. However, after not pitching in an official game since he threw a shutout inning to wrap up the Clearwater season on September 5th, Diekman was unable to record an out as all seven batters he faced reached base, six with hits, one on an error. Diekman was charged with 5 earned runs in the outing. Diekman had spent time at instructional ball from
Post a Comment
Read more

2022 Phillies Top Prospects Countdown: #24 RHP Cristian Hernandez

By
Venezuelan born right-hander Cristian Hernandez has begun to earn recognition as one of the Phillies most promising pitching prospects. Signed as a 16-year-old in 2017 for a reported $120,000, Hernandez got his professional career started the following summer as a starter for the Phillies' Red Dominican Summer League club.  There, in 13 starts, Hernandez tallied a 2-3 record with 2.57 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP as well as a 7.0 K/9 mark. An injury sidelined Hernandez in 2019 and the 2020 season was cancelled due to the global pandemic. In 2021, Hernandez saw his first regular season action in the United States, starting his season in Florida Complex League.  After two appearances there, the six-foot-three 185-pounder was promoted to the Class A Clearwater Threshers.  In 20 combined outings (17 starts), Hernandez notched a 2-7 record with a 3.57 ERA, a .228 batting average against and an 11.2 K/9 mark. Projectability is something that baseball folks like about Hernandez.  His size, consistent
Post a Comment
Read more

Who is Your Favorite Willie 'Mays' Hayes?

By
PhoulBallz.com is wondering which individual who has portrayed Willie "Mays" Hayes is the favorite of the public. Hayes, of course, is the character made famous in the Major League motion picture series. In Major League , Willie "Mays" Hayes was portrayed by budding Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who would go on to action movie superstardom. Snipes has starred in major motion pictures like the Blade trilogy, Passenger 57 , Undisputed and many more. Snipes remains an impact Hollywood actor, despite legal troubles related to income tax evasion. Snipes was replaced for the sequel, Major League II when his busy career, and possibly the film's budget, would not allow him to return, by Omar Epps. Another budding actor, Epps had previously worked with director David S. Ward, on the film The Program , and landed the role of Hayes, who had become a Hollywood action star over the off-season that occured between the two films. Epps' career portraying athletes rolle
1 comment
Read more