Dominic Hamel. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Dominic Hamel struggled to start the 2023 season in Double-A Binghamton with control and that led to short outings, including one on June 16 against the Portland Sea Dogs in which he couldn’t get out of the first inning. Since that bad start, the 24-year-old had gone three straight outings of at least six innings, and on Wednesday night he allowed just one run and struck out 11.
Hamel’s final line from Wednesday: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 K, 97 pitches/66 strikes
While the strikeouts are impressive, the one walk is certainly, the noteworthy piece from Hamel’s second start in a month against Portland. He also led all Double-A pitchers from Wednesday with 20 swings and misses. Hamel is now 4-4 with a 4.92 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 12.1 K/9 on the season.
Over his last three starts, the 2021 third round pick has 27 strikeouts compared to only three walks in 18 innings. Hamel’s 30.6 K% ranks third in the Eastern League and is second only to Blade Tidwell‘s 35.2 K% among Mets minor league pitchers with at least 50 innings this year.
Hamel should join fellow right-handed pitching prospect Mike Vasil in Triple-A Syracuse soon as the Mets hope to get closer to drafting and producing a couple of MLB-caliber starters they desperately need.
Also of note on Wednesday night in the Mets minor leagues was right-handed pitching prospect Tyler Stuart just continuing to do what he has all year for High-A Brooklyn.
Stuart’s final line from Wednesday: 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 97 pitches/66 strikes
Stuart leads 703 minor league pitchers this season (40 IP min.) with his 1.55 ERA. The 6’9”, 2022 draft pick is holding opponents to a .203 average this year and has given up three home runs in 75 2/3 innings.
