The Philadelphia Phillies knew they had a pitcher when they drafted Cole Hamels in the first round of the 2002 draft out of Rancho Bernardo High School in Poway, CA. A few injuries have hampered his progress. He missed most of 2004 with an elbow injury. In 2005 he broke his hand in a bar fight before the season began, then hurt his back, and was shut down for the rest of the season. Now that this 22 year old lefty appears to be healthy he is a mainstay in the Phillies rotation. In his most recent start last night versus the first place NY Mets & Pedro Martinez, Cole & Philadelphia came out on top 13-0. Hamels allowed no runs, no walks, and only four hits over eight innings of work, while striking out nine. He was very impressive, throwing 86 of 113 pitches for strikes, in this snappy two hour thirty five minute drubbing. Cole has won three of his last four starts (only let up one run in six innings vs ATL in the game he lost), five runs in 28 1/3 innings of work. Hamels Minor League stats are impressive 14-4 record, 273 strikeouts, 35 starts. Look for this lefty to be the new Lefty in Philly.