Jason Hammel Named IL Pitcher of the Week

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Jason Hammel Named IL Pitcher of the Week

Jason Hammel was named pitcher of the week by the International League. He is the first to win the award this season.

Apr 19, 2007

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The International League announced today that Durham pitcher Jason Hammel has been named the League's first Pitcher-of-the-Week for the 2007 season. The period covers the first eleven days of the season, the period from April 5-15.

For the second time in his career, Hammel has been named the International League Pitcher-of-the-Week. He also was so honored in 2006 (July 10-16) after combining with Juan Salas to record a no-hitter. Hammel has gotten off to a tremendous start in 2007, posting a minuscule 0.54 ERA in three starts. His 16.2 innings pitched leads the IL, and his 18 strikeouts are second only to Pawtucket's Devern Hansack (20). Hammel couldn't seem to catch a break through his first two outings. On Opening Night against Syracuse, Hammel did not allow a hit or a walk in 5.0 innings of work, but the bullpen couldn't hold the 1-0 lead and the Chiefs won 2-1.

Five days later, Hammel took the hill against Pawtucket. The PawSox managed just one run on four hits through five innings, but once again the Bulls fell by the score of 2-1. Yesterday afternoon in Toledo,
Hammel finally got the support from his offense needed to give him his first victory. Durham exploded for seven runs in the top of the 2nd, giving Hammel plenty of cushion as he breezed through most of
the 7-inning contest. Hammel struck out nine Mud Hens and walked only one, going 6.2 innings before Tim Corcoran came on to record the game's final out.

In three starts Hammel has allowed just nine hits, giving opposing batters a mere .145 average against him. Jason Hammel, 24, is coming off a season in which he posted a 5-9 record with a 4.23 ERA for the Durham Bulls. Five times last season Hammel's Bulls were shutout by the opposing pitcher during his starts. He also made his Major League debut last year in a pair of stints with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, going 0-6 with a 7.77 ERA. At the conclusion of the season, Baseball America rated Hammel as the 14th best prospect in the International League.