Dominic Hamel, Photo by Ed Delany of MMN
The New York Mets have named right-handed pitcher Dominic Hamel as the Mets Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Hamel, the Mets 2021 third round draft pick, won the award in his first full professional season.
Hamel entered the 2022 season as MMN‘s ninth ranked prospect. That made him the second ranked starter in the organization behind only Matt Allan. With Allan missing the season due to Tommy John surgery, he was the top rated Mets pitching prospect to appear this season.
Hamel made 24 starts and one relief appearance between St. Lucie and Brooklyn. Overall, he was 10-3 with a 3.25 ERA, 1.151 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, and an 11.0 K/9.
In an interesting tidbit, Hamel pitched for both Mets minor league affiliates to make their respective playoffs. Hamel was the Game 2 starter for the Cyclones in the South Atlantic League semifinals taking the loss.
Hamel joins Brett Baty as the Mets 2022 Minor League Player of the Year. In addition to these players, the Mets also announced some other minor league organizational award winners.
Jesús Báez and Dyron Campos were named DSL Complex Players of the Year, and right-hander Wilson Esterlin was chosen as the Mets DSL Complex Pitcher of the Year. Last year’s winners were infielder Kevin Villavicencio and pitcher Joel Diaz.
Báez played 54 games between both DSL teams predominantly playing shortstop. He hit .242/.341/.403 with nine doubles, seven homers, and 34 RBI. He stole eight bases in 14 attempts.
Campos played 52 games between both DSL teams and the FCL Mets rotating between all three outfield positions. He hit .266/.328/.475 with 10 doubles, three triples, seven homers, and 34 RBI. He was succesful in six of seven stolen base attempts.
Esterlin started five games and made seven relief appearances for the DSL Mets 1 team. He was 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 5.4 BB/9, and an 11.8 K/9.
Collin Hetzler, the Mets Complex hitting coordinator was named Mets Minor League Staff Member of the Year and Yezmin Chalas, coordinator, Dominican Academy’s operations was named DSL Complex Staff Member of the Year.
