Cole Hamels

Colbert Michael Hamels (born December 27, 1983) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Philadelphia Phillies (2006–2015), Texas Rangers (2015–2018), and Chicago Cubs (2018–19). Originally from San Diego, California, Hamels excelled at Rancho Bernardo High School both academically and athletically. The Phillies drafted Hamels out of high school, in the first round (17th overall) of the 2002 MLB Draft, and he began playing in the Phillies’ minor league system. Numerous issues, including an injury sustained in a bar fight, among other injuries, occurred during Hamels’ first few minor league seasons. Having reached the Triple-A level, he was the top pitcher in the Phillies' minor league system in 2006.