Although it has been three years since former Philadelphia Phillies All Star Cole Hamels has been a consistent presence on a major league mound. That may change soon.
Hamels was one of three former major league pitchers to have a showcase on Friday afternoon, joining Derek Holland and Kyle Crick. According to Jon Heyman, Hamels in particular looked “insanely good” and is expected to draw significant interest.
Maybe former Philadelphia Phillies All Star Cole Hamels will return this time
We have heard these rumors before. Even when his time with the Dodgers ended before it began due to injury, there were reports that teams were interested in Hamels’ services. Reports of his comeback have been commonplace over the past year, with his most recent hopes for a comeback being noted in the beginning of December.
If Hamels is healthy, it is understandable why teams would be interested. He may not be the same pitcher he was when he was a four time All Star, but he could still be a solid veteran option in the back of a rotation. He was still striking out over a batter per inning in his last full season in 2019, and with his track record, could be a potential bargain.
If Heyman’s report is to be believed, there may still be something there. Hamels’ fastball was sitting in the upper 80s to low 90s, numbers that do not light up the radar gun, but are still viable in the majors. That is especially the case if his plus changeup and solid cutter are still there, giving Hamels the type of arsenal that would age well.
At this point, Hamels is likely looking at minor league deals with an invitation to spring training. He is going to have to prove himself all over again with a strong showing during camp to return to a major league roster. But all it takes is for one team to give him a chance.
Former Philadelphia Phillies All Star Cole Hamels reportedly impressed during his showcase. Maybe this comeback attempt will be a success.