Phillies claim RHP Ian Hamilton off waivers from Mariners

The Phillies have claimed 25-year-old reliever Ian Hamilton.

The Philadelphia Phillies added a bullpen arm on Monday, claiming right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton off waivers from the Seattle Mariners, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.

Hamilton, 25, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 11th round of the 2016 amateur draft out of Washington State University. The New Hampshire native quickly rose in their system; in less than three professional seasons, he was called up to make his big-league debut against the Boston Red Sox.

Hamilton appeared in 10 games in 2018, three of which finished a game, while striking out five of his 33 batters faced. Spanning eight innings, he allowed six hits, five runs (four earned), and a pair of home runs and walks each en route to a 4.50 ERA and 4.50 WHIP ratio.

The following year, the right-hander failed to reach the majors, appearing only in 16 games at the Triple-A level — allowing 28 hits and 18 runs across 16 1/3 frames, albeit with a 20-3 strikeouts-to-walks ratio. Hamilton had a relatively bounce-back, yet brief stint this past season —  appearing in four games for the White Sox while allowing just a pair of runs across four innings.

The White Sox designated Hamilton for assignment in mid-September to clear a 40-man roster spot, and was claimed a week later by the Seattle Mariners. Not more than three months passed before the Phillies took a similar chance on the two-year veteran, who reportedly has a fastball that reaches 96 miles per hour.

Hamilton has undergone several surgeries this past year after being struck by a line drive while at Triple-A Charlotte — repairing his teeth, facial fractures, and jaw; Also, he has recently experienced right shoulder soreness, the same injury that caused him to miss most of the 2019 season, as well as an oblique injury. Hamilton will look to put his injury woes in the rearview mirror and compete this spring training for a spot in the Phillies’ big-league bullpen.