Is Cole Hamels a Hall of Famer? The Case for-and Against-the Former Rangers Ace

Cole Hamels is officially on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time, and the early returns are… complicated. Among Texas Rangers fans surveyed this week, 48% said they believe Hamels belongs in Cooperstown. That’s a stronger endorsement than he’s getting from the broader voting body so far, where he’s sitting at 31.8% based on 144 public and anonymous ballots tracked.

So let’s dig into the case for Hamels. Because like a lot of borderline Hall of Fame candidates, he doesn’t offer a slam-dunk resume-but there’s more under the hood than some might think.

The Numbers: Solid, Not Spectacular

Hamels was widely viewed as a frontline starter during his prime. He had the stuff, the durability, and the big-game chops.

But when it comes to awards and accolades, the résumé is a bit light for a Hall of Famer. He received Cy Young votes in only four seasons and never finished higher than fifth.

He made just four All-Star teams and threw only one game after his age-35 season.

His career JAWS score-a metric that blends career value with peak performance-is 72nd among starting pitchers all-time. That puts him in the same neighborhood as guys like Johan Santana and Tim Hudson. Respectable company, but not exactly a green light to Cooperstown.

Context Matters: The Era of the Evolving Ace

Here’s where things get interesting. Hamels pitched in a transitional era for starters.

The traditional 250-inning workhorse was going extinct, and even top-tier arms were seeing their workloads reduced. In that context, his durability and consistency stand out more than the raw numbers might suggest.

Among his contemporaries, only Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Max Scherzer, and Chris Sale rank ahead of him in JAWS. The first four are essentially locks for the Hall.

Sale is a question mark, but his peak was otherworldly. Hamels may not have reached those heights, but he was consistently excellent for over a decade.

The Case for Growth in Support

Voter perception evolves over time, especially for players who don’t fit neatly into the “yes” or “no” categories. Take Andy Pettitte.

Despite admitting to PED use and never being a dominant ace, Pettitte has climbed to 56.3% support on the latest ballot tracker. That’s not a small feat.

Now compare the two: Hamels didn’t have the same longevity as Pettitte, but his peak was arguably better. His career bWAR of 57.9 is just a hair below Pettitte’s 60.7. And in JAWS, Hamels actually ranks 10 spots higher-72nd to Pettitte’s 82nd.

That’s not to say Hamels is a lock to get in. But it does suggest that, over time, voters may take a closer look at his body of work and reevaluate. He was never the flashiest name in the league, but he was a dependable ace, a World Series MVP, and a key part of multiple playoff teams.

Final Thought: A Career Worth Remembering

Whether or not Hamels eventually finds his way to Cooperstown, his career deserves recognition. He was a pillar of consistency for the Phillies, a postseason hero in 2008, and later a stabilizing force for the Rangers. He may not have the hardware or the headline stats that scream “Hall of Famer,” but he’s a name that will keep coming up in these conversations.

And in the Hall of Fame debate, that in itself is a mark of greatness.