Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog

Watch Cole Hamels Learn

The reason I love covering the minor leagues so, is watching young players rise to the occasion. Watching them go through all the trials and come out successful is a thrill. 

Cole Hamels was part of a group of farm grown Phillies buzzed about for years, before he'd set foot in the majors. Everyone was anticipating the thrill of "Hollywood" finally putting on a big league uniform.

He had a lot of personal obstacles to overcome during his time in the minors, a fact that worried Phillies fans and the team brass. Hamels needed to be smart off the field. He needed to be mature and handle himself. People wondered if he was a behavior case.

He's proved everyone wrong in that regard.

But on the field, he's gone even further than anyone could have imagined and accomplished more at twenty five than most, well, twenty five year old people on the face of the earth. He's got himself a World Series ring.

He also became the ring leader of sorts in the off-season with his confirmation that, yes, the Mets are choke artists. Hamels was clearly riding the wave of success and enjoying the fun of it all. He appeared on David Letterman. He's graced the covers of several Delaware Valley publications, cementing his bond with local fans.

Something had to go wrong, of course. And it has.

Hamels is 7-6. He's given up 18 home runs so far, compared to 28 in all of 2008.

You aren't watching the downfall of Cole Hamels, or the disappointing follow up to his World Series winning season. You're watching a young pitcher in the shop, honing his craft and perfecting the shape of what he's creating.

Yes, there are examples of disastrous implosions such as Dontrelle Willis. Before there was the Cole Train, there was the D Train. The deception of the D Train's delivery was a sight all baseball fans marveled at.

But before Phillies fans push the panic button, hold tight.

Remember that you're still watching a young man develop. He's finding his way and growing into the pitcher he's to become. He's not there yet, which is probably hard to believe or accept, considering what he did in 2008. His confidence is healthy, but he's a good student. He's talked publicly about how much he watches teammate Jaime Moyer, who's a fine influence both on and off the field.

It is not the minor leagues, but class is still in for Cole Hamels.

And I don't think a single person believes he'll drop out.

Jesus Montero Injured? No Worries.

The Trenton Thunder have been dealt another blow. Yankees faithful who follow their farm teams passionately, are surely disappointed by the news that catching prospect Jesus Montero is out for the season. He suffered a broken finger Saturday night.

But no one panic. The nineteen year old is experiencing his first big setback. You did catch that I said he's nineteen? Yes. He's at the Double A level and had been putting up tremendous numbers until now. His talent is phenomenal. The growing pains have just begun and are not unexpected.

Montero is a big kid, formidable and strong and he's been tearing up the Eastern League: in the past ten games, he's hitting .400 with 14 hits and 9 RBI.

There is also no doubting his confidence and composure. He knows his capabilities and trusts himself. I don't believe this challenge will change that.

Thunder beat writer Mike Ashmore puts a fine point on the loss for the team, though.

"He was their last legitimate power threat," he said by e-mail. "For a team already struggling, they'll have to find another way to put runs on the board."

The loss of Montero means the addition of PJ Piliettere, who'd been playing for the Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Piliettere is hitting .244 and was a 2008 Eastern League All-Star.

Montero could possibly play in the Arizona Fall League after recovering. The AFL is no place for whiners or half-hearted play. Guys are there to prove something. Montero is a guy who has, so far, no problems doing that.