Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

according to Sports Illustrated/Verducci.

Here is the link to the article http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...html?hpt=hp_t2

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

Nice!

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

What I like to hear is Verducci's talk of his gap power. As I keep insisting, he's not a guy with 20 power-- he's got a line drive stroke that will help (along with the best speed in baseball) produce a bunch of extra base hits.

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

Agreed. His first AB in the AFL Champ Game was a nice demonstration of what he could bring to the table. He DOES need to work on his routes, but I think he's going to be a nice fit.

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

Just pondering this...Hamilton took REALLY WELL to CF in the AFL...DiDi has a really solid arm at SS and is sighted a few times in the AFL as giving the Reds an option or two at SS...

Wild wondering starts here.

Could the Reds be confident enough in these two to bring them up to the MLB level this coming season???

Didi at SS
Cozart at 3B
Hamilton in CF
Frazier in LF

I know it sounds crazy but defensively it would be pretty sound and as for run production??? well, that is the mystery.

Frazier is a RH bat with decent power.
Hamilton the top of the order bat.

Cozart is a good defender and could more than likely transition to 3B.

Didi is what I described above.

That would put the MLB starting roster under control for YEARS...is it quality enough to win???

Not saying they will or should do this but interesting to let your mind wonder sometimes.

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

Cozart's bat at thirdbase is well below average. At SS he's doable.

Better to flip Cozart for a 3B, as his value is much greater as a SS.

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

What type of hitter do you see Hamilton developing into? An Ichiro type?

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

The other thing I'm looking at with his minor league stats is the amount of strikeouts he has. Do you all think he's going to be a strikeout machine in the majors or will he be able to correct that?

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

I think Michael Bourn has been cited as the best comp, albeit with a bit more speed/power...

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

That would be great if he could put up the epic defense of a Michael Bourn.

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

If all goes well, Michael Bourn. Someone mentioned earlier with more power, but I don't see that. More speed, sure. But I don't see the more power part happening.

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

How much power can a 160-lb man yield? Luckily, he doesn't have a big need for it.

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

Alfonso Soriano?

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

Everyone has a need for power. It makes players better. It makes their BABIP less important to be productive. He simply doesn't have the swing and strength for it.

Re: Billy Hamilton named top prospect from the AFL
 

As long as you walk lots the K's won't matter.

Many players K alot because they work the count deep and also walk tons. Dunn comes to mind.

Stubbs just seems to K. Hamilton is, I believe, trying to walk lots to take advantage of his speed.