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2nd Round #57 Overall Billy Hamilton SS/CF Taylorsville (Miss.) HS

MLB.com

Biographical Data
Player Name: Billy Hamilton
Position: Shortstop
School: Taylorsville (Miss.)
School Type: High School
Academic Class: Senior
Birthdate: 9/9/90
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 150 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Report Date(s): 4/13/09
Game(s): Sumrall HS

Focus Area Comments
Hitting ability: Hamilton has bat speed and strength, but has a very crude approach. There are holes in his swing that will need to be closed as he has trouble with pitches away and off-speed stuff.

Power: It's raw, maybe future average. For a shortstop, it's pretty good. He doesn't show much power now because of the mechanical flaws in his swing.

Running speed: He's above average, a real easy runner who makes it look effortless.

Base running: Hard to judge, but moves up bases when he gets the chance. He'll likely have to learn to read pitches to become a basestealing threat in the future.

Arm strength: It's above average, though he doesn't show it much.

Fielding: There are some who feel he's destined for the outfield, others who think he might be able to stay at short, even though he doesn't always seem natural there.

Range: His athleticism makes it pretty good. He's a better fielder on the move.

Physical Description: Hamilton is a very athletic middle infielder; a three-sport standout who resembles a young Tony Fernandez.

Medical Update: Healthy.

Strengths: Athleticism off the charts. All the potential tools are there, if a bit raw.

Weaknesses: Crude offensive approach makes some worry about his ability to hit at the next level. Hasn't been exposed to too much top-flight opposition.

Summary: Hamilton is the quintessential high-risk, high-reward athlete at this level who is sure to interest many in June. A three-sport star in Mississippi, he's got all sorts of tools, though his hitting approach is a bit crude and he's got some holes in his swing. But the bat speed, strength and running speed would make any scout at least intrigued, especially if you think he can stay at shortstop. Someone will take a chance on that -- and that they can sign him away from his football commitment to Mississippi State on Draft day.

PG Crosschecker:

Billy Hamilton SS Sr. B-R 6-0 150 Taylorsville Taylorsville, Miss. Miss. State (FB Miss. St. Commit) 9/9/1990

SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Hamilton hasn't played much baseball in front of scouts, but is unquestionably one of the best athletes in the 2009 high-school draft class. Not only has he excelled in baseball, hitting .561 as a junior at Taylorsville High, but he's considered to have NBA-caliber skills as a basketball point guard, and the talent to play in the NFL as either a wide receiver or defensive back. He's been selected all-state in the three sports on multiple occasions. Though he signed with Mississippi State for football, Hamilton has been clear all along that baseball is his favorite sport, and he would play that sport, along with football in college-though it has become increasingly unlikely as he moves steadily up draft boards that he'll even go to college. Hamilton has been timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40 at football camps, and caught 49 passes for 18 touchdowns as a senior for Taylorsville High. Though basketball is regarded as only his third sport, he averaged 35 ppg this winter and popped in 55 points in his best game. In what was probably the last competitive basketball game he'll play, a quarter-final loss in the state 2-A tournament, Hamilton had 39 points, dished out nine assists and had six rebounds. The exceptional speed and quickness that are so readily apparent on the football field and basketball court are also his best assets in baseball. He has game-changing speed on both sides of the ball. He can play both center field and shortstop at a high level, although his instincts and tools in the outfield make that his most likely future position. Hamilton also throws 90-plus off the mound when pitching, so arm strength is another above-average tool. His hitting is understandably behind the rest of his baseball package, but he shows flashes of ability as a switch-hitter and profiles as a leadoff hitter. Power is not part of his package, and it may never be unless he adds strength to his lean, slight frame.-DAVID RAWNSLEY

UPDATE (5/15): Hamilton's raw talent is unmistakable and he was the most talked-about player at last summer's East Coast Professional Baseball Showcase in Lakeland, Fla., his coming-out party. While scouts continued to marvel over his talent this spring and saw him as an electrifying player with game-changing potential, Hamilton also showed he is a long way off from being a refined player. He generally played under his tools while hitting .467-7-38 with 13 stolen bases, but showed flashes of them all, except power. He needs most work with his hitting mechanics, though has the bat speed, hand actions and swing plane to project that he'll hit in the future, and his power should evolve as he fills out his broad-shouldered, thin-waisted and highly-athletic frame. His speed (6.40 seconds in the 60) is his most advanced tool. Not only does he have an explosive first step, but he has excellent base-running instincts. He often appears out of his element at shortstop, but scouts won't rule him out playing there and say he could adapt overnight to being a competent center fielder. No matter where he plays, he gets to everything hit in his direction, has quick-twitch actions and an above-average arm, capable of reaching 90-92 off the mound. Of all the players in this year's draft, Hamilton is the prime example of the high-risk, high-reward talent who could just as easily be a big-league all-star as flame out in the lower minors.-ALLAN SIMPSON

Taylorsville’s Hamilton drafted by Reds
By David Brandt • david.brandt@clarionledger.com • June 9, 2009

Hamilton, the 57th overall selection, was an All-State selection in three sports and starred in the infield for the Tarters. He has signed to play football at Mississippi State.

“The Reds were a little bit of a surprise, but I’m really excited,” Hamilton said. “I can’t wait to get my career started and show what I can do.”

Hamilton (6-foot, 165 pounds) was a first-team All-State selection by The Clarion-Ledger. Arguably Mississippi’s best three-sport athlete over the past 20 years, Hamilton was also an All-State receiver in football and All-State guard in basketball.

In baseball this season, Hamilton hit .448 with 13 doubles, four homers, 28 RBIs and 26 stolen bases.