Jason Aaron Hammel (born September 2, 1982) is an American former professional
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...
. He played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
(MLB) for the
Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays,
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. Th ...
,
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...
,
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...
,
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
, and
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...
.
Amateur career
Hammel was born in
Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville ( ; ) is a city in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 70,720 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of municipalities in South Carolina, sixth-most pop ...
, but raised in
Port Orchard, Washington
Port Orchard is a city in and the county seat of Kitsap County, Washington, United States. It is located due west of West Seattle and is connected to Seattle and Vashon Island via the Washington State Ferries run to Southworth. It is name ...
. He attended
South Kitsap High School
South Kitsap High School is a public high school in the South Kitsap School District and is located at 425 Mitchell Ave Port Orchard, Washington. In 2018, the school had the largest student population in the state.
History and facilities
South K ...
in
Port Orchard, Washington
Port Orchard is a city in and the county seat of Kitsap County, Washington, United States. It is located due west of West Seattle and is connected to Seattle and Vashon Island via the Washington State Ferries run to Southworth. It is name ...
, and led the team to a 20–1 season in 2000 as the number one starter in the rotation. Hammel was drafted in the 23rd round by the
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...
, but opted instead to attend
Treasure Valley Community College in
Ontario, Oregon
Ontario is the largest city in Malheur County, Oregon, Malheur County, Oregon, United States. It lies along the Snake River at the Idaho border. The population was 11,645 at the 2020 censusThe city is the largest community in the region of far ea ...
. He played collegiate summer league ball for the
Wenatchee AppleSox of the
West Coast League
The West Coast League (WCL) is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league founded in 2005, comprising teams from Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and Alberta. The WCL was previously named the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League (WCCB ...
.
Professional career
Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays (2006–2008)
The
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. They are one of two major league clubs based i ...
selected Hammel in the 10th round of the
2002 MLB Draft
The 2002 Major League Baseball draft, was held on June 4 and 5.
It is featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 book ''Moneyball''.
First round selections
Supplemental first round compensation selections
* *Did Not Sign With Team
Compensation ...
. He made his major league debut on April 11, 2006, against the
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...
and got his first victory as a starter on September 2, 2007, against the
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
. On July 17, 2006, while with the
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are located in Durham, North Carolina, and play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which opened ...
, he threw 8 1/3 innings of a combined no hitter on July 17, 2006 with
Juan Salas getting the final two outs, beating the
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They are located in Columbus, Ohio, and are named for speedy Merchant ship, merch ...
4-1.
Colorado Rockies (2009–2011)
On April 5, 2009, the Rays traded Hammel to the
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. Th ...
for pitching prospect
Aneury Rodríguez. On October 11, 2009, Hammel started game three of the
2009 National League Division Series
The 2009 National League Division Series (NLDS) consisted of two concurrent best-of-five playoff, best-of-five game series that determined the participating teams in the 2009 National League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a " ...
against the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...
. Though he looked strong initially, he ended up allowing four earned runs and the Rockies went on to lose the game.
Hammel agreed to a two-year contract with the Rockies before the 2011
season
A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...
.
Baltimore Orioles (2012–2013)
The Rockies traded Hammel to the
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...
, along with pitcher
Matt Lindstrom
Matthew Raymond Lindstrom (born February 11, 1980) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Colorado Rockies, Baltimore Orioles, Arizona ...
, for pitcher
Jeremy Guthrie
Jeremy Shane Guthrie (born April 8, 1979) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, and Washington Nationals. ...
on February 6, 2012. In his Orioles debut, he took a no-hit bid into the 8th inning, with the Orioles eventually winning, 3–1, over the
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team is named afte ...
.
On June 16, 2012, Hammel led the Orioles to a 5–0 victory over the
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...
, holding the Braves to one hit over nine innings. It was the first complete game shutout of his career and the first complete game by an Orioles pitcher in the
2012 season.
On July 15, 2012, Hammel was placed on the 15-day disabled list to have a right knee surgery.
Hammel started for the Orioles on
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball (MLB) and most of the American minor leagues, this day typically falls during the first week of April, although in recent year ...
in 2013.
On June 1, 2013, during a game against the
Tigers
The tiger (''Panthera tigris'') is a large cat and a member of the genus ''Panthera'' native to Asia. It has a powerful, muscular body with a large head and paws, a long tail and orange fur with black, mostly vertical stripes. It is tradition ...
, Hammel was ejected for the first time in his career, by home plate umpire
Hunter Wendelstedt
Harry Hunter Wendelstedt III (born June 22, 1971) is an American baseball umpire who has worked in the National League in 1998–1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. His father Harry Hunter Wendelstedt, Jr. was an NL umpire from ...
. Hammel had given up three consecutive home runs and his next pitch hit
Matt Tuiasosopo in the shoulder with a slider.
Chicago Cubs (2014)
On January 31, 2014, Hammel signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
. Before being traded, he compiled an 8–5 win–loss record to go with a 2.98 ERA and 104 SO.
Oakland Athletics (2014)
On July 4, 2014, the Cubs traded Hammel, along with pitcher
Jeff Samardzija, to the
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...
in exchange for top
shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball positions, baseball or softball fielding position between second base, second and third base, which is considered to be among the Defensive spectrum, most demanding defensive positions. Historically, the ...
prospect
Addison Russell
Addison Wayne Russell (born January 23, 1994) is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. Russell was drafted 11th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. ...
, pitcher
Dan Straily
Daniel Steven Straily (born December 1, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League. The Oakland Athletics selected Straily in the 24th round of the 2009 MLB Draft, and he made his Ma ...
, outfielder
Billy McKinney, and a player to be named later. After the trade with the A's, he recorded a 4.26 ERA and a 2–6 win–loss record.
Return to Cubs (2015–2016)
On December 8, 2014, after becoming a free agent following the end of the 2014 season, Hammel agreed to terms on a two-year, $20 million deal to return to the Chicago Cubs. Hammel finished the 2015 season with a 10–7 record and a 3.74 ERA. He had the highest
line drive
In the sports of baseball and softball, a batted ball is a pitch that has been contacted by the batter's bat. Batted balls are either fair or foul, and can be characterized as a fly ball, pop-up, line drive, or ground ball. In baseball, a fou ...
percentage allowed (24.5%) of all major league pitchers. In game four of the
2015 National League Division Series
The 2015 National League Division Series were two best-of-five-game series to determine the participating teams in the 2015 National League Championship Series. The three divisional winners (seeded 1–3) and a fourth team—the winner of a on ...
vs. the
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...
, Hammel was the starting pitcher and pitched only 3 innings allowing three hits, two runs, one home run, and walked three batters with a no decision in the Cubs' 6–4 win over the Cardinals. Hammel also was the starting pitcher in game four of the
2015 National League Championship Series
The 2015 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff in Major League Baseball’s 2015 postseason contested between the fifth-seeded Chicago Cubs and the third-seeded New York Mets for the National League (NL) pennant and th ...
vs. the
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
. He only pitched innings, allowing four hits, five runs, two home runs, and walked two batters with the loss in the Cubs' 8–3 loss against the Mets.
Hammel finished the first half of the 2016 MLB season with a solid 7–5 record and a 3.46 ERA. Hammel finished the season with a 15–10 record and a 3.83 ERA. Although he was not included on the Cubs' postseason roster, Hammel received his first World Series ring.
On November 5, 2016, the Cubs declined Hammel's option for 2017 and he became a free agent.
Kansas City Royals (2017–2018)
On February 8, 2017, Hammel signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...
. The contract includes a mutual option for the 2019 season. In his first season in Kansas City, Hammel struggled throughout the season, posting a record of 8-13 with a career worst 5.29 ERA in innings.
Hammel began the 2018 season in the rotation but posted an ERA of 6.15 in 18 starts and was demoted to the bullpen. Overall, in 39 appearances with 18 starts, Hammel finished the season with a 6.02 ERA and a record of 4-14 in 127 innings.
On October 30, 2018, the Royals declined his 2019 option, making him a free agent.
Texas Rangers (2019)
On February 1, 2019, Hammel signed a minor-league contract with the
Texas Rangers. On March 22, 2019, the
Texas Rangers announced that Hammel had made the opening day roster.
Retirement
On March 23, 2019, Hammel announced his retirement from baseball.
Pitching style
Hammel throws a mix of five pitches: a
four-seam fastball
A four-seam fastball, also called a rising fastball, a four-seamer, or a cross-seam fastball, is a pitch (baseball), pitch in baseball. It is a member of the fastball family of pitches and is usually the fastest ball thrown by a pitcher. It is s ...
at 92–95 mph, a
two-seam fastball
A two-seam fastball is a pitch in baseball and softball. It is a variant of the straight fastball. The pitch has the speed of a fastball and can also include late-breaking action caused by varying the pressure of the index and middle fingers on t ...
(his lead pitch) at the same speed, a slider in the mid 80s, a curveball in the upper 70s, and a
changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball and fastpitch softball.
The changeup is a staple off-speed pitch often used in a pitcher's arsenal, usually thrown to look like a fastball, but arriving much more slowly to the plate. Its reduced spee ...
in the high 80s. He uses all of his pitches against left-handed hitters, but eliminates the changeup against right-handers. His chief off-speed pitch with 2 strikes is the slider.
Prior to the 2012 season Hammel relied mostly on the four-seamer, slider, and curve. In 2012, he shifted to a sinker/slider focus, with the other pitches playing less of a role.
All of his pitches except the changeup produced above-average
whiff rates in 2012,
leading to a career-high
K/9 rate of 8.6
Personal life
Hammel met Elissa Nichols in 2006 and they married in 2009. Together they have a son and a daughter. They resided in the
Lake View neighborhood of
Chicago
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
but sold the home in 2021 and moved to the
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States (also referred to as the Northeast, the East Coast, or the American Northeast) is List of regions of the United States, census regions United States Census Bureau. Located on the East Coast of the United States, ...
.
See also
*
List of Colorado Rockies team records
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hammel, Jason
1982 births
Living people
Tampa Bay Devil Rays players
Tampa Bay Rays players
Colorado Rockies players
Baltimore Orioles players
Chicago Cubs players
Oakland Athletics players
Kansas City Royals players
Treasure Valley Chukars baseball players
Hudson Valley Renegades players
Princeton Devil Rays players
Charleston RiverDogs players
Bakersfield Blaze players
Montgomery Biscuits players
Durham Bulls players
Colorado Springs Sky Sox players
Frederick Keys players
Bowie Baysox players
Aberdeen IronBirds players
Baseball players from Greenville, South Carolina
Major League Baseball pitchers
People from Port Orchard, Washington
Baseball players from Kitsap County, Washington