NY Mets minor league signing has the perfect name for his impressive K rate

What's in a name?
Feb 28, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA;  New York Mets wait to take the field against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Feb 28, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets wait to take the field against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

If you can strike out batters, you have a chance to get a contract from the New York Mets. They added another minor league arm to the organization this weekend. It’s almost as if his ancestors knew he was destined to become a blacksmith or a hard-throwing bullpen arm.

Dan Hammer comes to the Mets on a unique yet not unheard of two-year minor league contract. Philadelphia born (bleh!, his career numbers fall right into the same category as so many other minor league additions made by this ball club.

Dan Hammer is a Mets pitching lab rat

A 5.34 ERA in 249.2 career minor league innings but with those outrageous 303 strikeouts gives him a 10.9 K/9 rate. There’s a but coming. He has walked 7.5 batters per 9. It has been slightly better in recent years. The 28-year-old was at 6.8 BB/9 last year in Double-A. It came with a decreased strikeout rate to a much tamer 9.4 K/9.

Hammer is like so many other Mets minor league signings with the high Ks, frightening BBs, and belief there is something there. He’s coming from the Tampa Bay Rays organization which has been common for the Mets to pluck from. The 6.57 ERA he gave them in Double-A had them moving on swiftly.

Hammer should land back in Double-A again where he’ll need to live up to his name and thump hitters around. For their effort, maybe his long-lost cousin Caleb can give them a financial audit for free.

The Mets have been bold, open-minded, and at times predictable with minor league signings like this. The purpose might not always be to actually reap the rewards of players like him at the major league level but more so learn what they can. Consider him a lab rat for them to learn from. Finding your control is never as simple as wearing Susan Sarandon’s underwear.

So far, the Mets have yet to find any true gem in the minors from another organization or coming off of an impressive Winter League or a year in the Independent League. Jonathan Pintaro may be the most well-known, signed in the middle of 2024. He's a legitimate ranked prospect who needs to contribute this season in some capacity. Expectations for Hammer are much lower. He's someone the Mets will need to make-over in a grander fashion.

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