#TBT- Cole Hamels, SP, Texas Rangers
@Hoover__26 June 30
In order to be featured in a #TBT, you have to be both over the age of 30 and a top notch fantasy producer. But, more than that, you have to embody the word throwback itself. Now, what does throwback really mean. One definition, according to Merriam-Webster, is “a person...that is similar to someone...from the past or that is suited to another time”. Often times, my #TBTs will feature someone who plays an old school game, someone who would have fit in during times passed. However, other times (as the first part of the definition states) they feature someone who is a “throwback” to their earlier self. Someone who has somehow beaten the strain of age and returned to their former status as an athlete.
Cole Hamels, who was once one of the best aces in the game for the Phillies, started to fade in his last few years with the team. He had a record at or below .500 for his last two and about two thirds seasons with Philly (granted one of those came with a 2.46 ERA and Hamels’ fourth top ten Cy Young finish), was passed the 30 years old mark, and had his highest ERA since 2009 after his first 20 starts of last year. However, he underwent a huge change when he was dealt to Texas for a multitude of players (something the Phillies did to perfection, landing some very nice prospects for guys like Hamels and Ken Giles). After notching a 6-7 record with Philly, Hamels went on to finish the year with a final record of 13-8 (going 7-1 with the Rangers). His ERA+ improved three points after the trade, and Hamels was ready to start out hot in his first full season with the Rangers. Now that we are 16 starts in, Hamels is sitting at 9-1 with a 2.60 ERA (the lowest in the three time All-Star’s career since his 2014 campaign that earned him 6th in Cy Young voting, and second lowest overall). He looks like his old self, and has really embodied the title of “throwback”.
Hamels has been a fantasy monster this season, sitting at 12th in total scoring for starting pitchers (espn.com). Apparently, fantasy owners were REALLY sleeping on Hamels this year, making him the 26th starting pitcher drafted on average in espn.com drafts (the average draft results are truly cringe inducing, so feel free to look back and say “What were we thinking?”) Despite his slipping in fantasy drafts, Hamels has been a house of fire this season. He is in the top ten in Quality Starts, and is striking out an average of 8.9 batters per 9 innings. Speaking of strikeouts, Hamels is 21st all time in K/9 and 17th all time in K/BB (baseball-reference.com).
Whatever you define as a throwback, I think we can all agree that Cole Hamels certainly qualifies. He is looking just like his old self, and with his last start netting a cool 31 fantasy points, he could be in line for another top ten Cy Young award finish. In addition to that, Hamels is an elite fantasy option and should continue to be as long as he can keep up this throwback streak.
Cole Hamels, who was once one of the best aces in the game for the Phillies, started to fade in his last few years with the team. He had a record at or below .500 for his last two and about two thirds seasons with Philly (granted one of those came with a 2.46 ERA and Hamels’ fourth top ten Cy Young finish), was passed the 30 years old mark, and had his highest ERA since 2009 after his first 20 starts of last year. However, he underwent a huge change when he was dealt to Texas for a multitude of players (something the Phillies did to perfection, landing some very nice prospects for guys like Hamels and Ken Giles). After notching a 6-7 record with Philly, Hamels went on to finish the year with a final record of 13-8 (going 7-1 with the Rangers). His ERA+ improved three points after the trade, and Hamels was ready to start out hot in his first full season with the Rangers. Now that we are 16 starts in, Hamels is sitting at 9-1 with a 2.60 ERA (the lowest in the three time All-Star’s career since his 2014 campaign that earned him 6th in Cy Young voting, and second lowest overall). He looks like his old self, and has really embodied the title of “throwback”.
Hamels has been a fantasy monster this season, sitting at 12th in total scoring for starting pitchers (espn.com). Apparently, fantasy owners were REALLY sleeping on Hamels this year, making him the 26th starting pitcher drafted on average in espn.com drafts (the average draft results are truly cringe inducing, so feel free to look back and say “What were we thinking?”) Despite his slipping in fantasy drafts, Hamels has been a house of fire this season. He is in the top ten in Quality Starts, and is striking out an average of 8.9 batters per 9 innings. Speaking of strikeouts, Hamels is 21st all time in K/9 and 17th all time in K/BB (baseball-reference.com).
Whatever you define as a throwback, I think we can all agree that Cole Hamels certainly qualifies. He is looking just like his old self, and with his last start netting a cool 31 fantasy points, he could be in line for another top ten Cy Young award finish. In addition to that, Hamels is an elite fantasy option and should continue to be as long as he can keep up this throwback streak.