Dom Hamel has played more than 100 games and racked up over 400 innings with various Mets affiliates after being drafted by Dallas Baptist in the third round back in 2021.
Stepping onto the mound at Citi Field on Monday, he understood the gravity of the moment for his next inning.
The Mets called him up, transitioning him this year from a starting pitcher to a longer relief role in the bullpen.
“It’s been a while since I’ve come here,” Hamel noted, reflecting on his journey as he was ranked the club’s No. 9 prospect in 2022 and 2023, before experiencing challenges in Syracuse last season.
Initially starting the year as a rotation pitcher in Syracuse, he found greater success as a reliever. Hamel posted a 4.12 ERA in his last ten appearances, covering 19 innings for the team.
“I really try not to leave them with options,” he shared with the Guardians before the series opened. “I don’t want to go back. I’m here. I think I’m here. So, I’m going to do my thing and ride it out.”
The shift to the bullpen has aided his improvement, alongside some adjustments he made to his delivery over the offseason. After being inspired by pitchers like Luke Weaver from the Yankees and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers, Hamel changed his technique by letting go of the full windup, opting instead for a stretch with slide steps.
Weaver, reflecting on his own career shift, expressed gratitude for the sharing of such techniques this year. “It’s about reaching an elite level and finding confidence in trying. That’s the most I can take from my experience,” he said. “Look, I was in the same position. I did everything I could to give it a try. It might not always click, but the key is to keep pushing. When you find something that could change everything for you, it can be a game-changer.”
