Hamel will have plenty of time with Lindor this spring when he plays alongside him and Mets’ closer Edwin Diaz in the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico. The 23-year-old was raised in Arizona and played college baseball at Dallas Baptist University, but his maternal grandfather was born in Puerto Rico. Playing for Puerto Rico holds significant meaning to him beyond just his grandfather. Seeing an opportunity to represent his mother’s heritage, he approached St. Lucie Mets pitching coach Victor Ramos, who helped put him in touch with Team Puerto Rico. “I see why Puerto Rico wants him to pitch against the Dominican Republic.
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