With the 81st overall pick in the third round of the 2021 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft, the New York Mets select Dominic Hamel. A 6’2”, 22-year-old right hander from Dallas Baptist.
Hamel was draft eligible last season but wasn’t selected in the five round shortened affair. Baseball America had Hamel slotted at the 151st rank in this years draft and see him as both a solid starter or power reliever.
“Teams decided they didn’t have enough to pick him in a five-round draft. There will be no such concerns this year. Hamel was Dallas Baptist’s ace in 2021, ranking among the nation’s top 10 in strikeouts (129) and top 20 in strikeout rate (13.4 K/9). He reached double digits in strikeouts in six of his first 15 starts in 2021. Hamel has shown the consistent ability to elevate his plus 90-94 mph fastball for swings and misses. It has the vertical movement that frustrates hitters, although he could still improve his command of it.”-Baseball America
With a terrific season for Dallas Baptist, Hamel was able to drive his stock up and sneak his way into the third round of the draft. Hamel’s fastball may need a bit more velocity before he finds himself at higher levels, but his spin rate and movement is what sets him apart from many pitchers in this class.
The Mets have taken right-handed pitcher Dominic Hamel with their third round pick from Dallas Baptist.
He’s a high spin rate guy that ranked 96th on MLB’s board.
— Michael Mayer (@mikemayer22) July 12, 2021
Hamel was an early draft riser on many boards due to his above average analytics this season, a category front-offices are head over heels for. Baseball America had seen his stock rising all the way back in April.
https://twitter.com/BaseballAmerica/status/1384962202210275331?s=20
Right now when hitters pick up on his fastball they are able to damage, with all 14 of his home runs allowed being on the heater. He has a fast arm and great extension with his 6’2″ frame so with continued work in the minors, Hamel could potentially turn into a metric monster that baseball drools over.
This is the third consecutive right handed pitcher the New York Mets have drafted in the first three rounds.
