For what it's worth I enjoy reading your posts and I don't take the same hostile stance that a lot of the others here seem to take of your assessment of Hamilton. No batter is perfect and your analysis is very informative. I have noticed problems with his swing, but his approach has changed a little and it's part of the puzzle that is allowing him to be more successful at the plate. I think he has what it takes to adapt his swing to the majors and learn from the hitting coaches. He's still young and pretty raw -- I don't suspect he'll be up for any period of time until the end of next year at the earliest. I just think that he has the potential to be a star.
Also it would be really nice if he took up an intense study in bunting.
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Originally Posted by dougdirt
I agree with you in premise. Hamilton is in scoring position every time he gets on. The three guys are expected to do two entirely different things. RC or any derivative of it on the minor league level is useless toward future projection.
I think Hamilton has a chance to be a 5 win player the MLB level, which is an All Star level and with the right counting numbers maybe an MVP type of candidate. I just think there is a giant gap between where his game is now, and where his game needs to be to even be an average hitter at the MLB level, much less what I envision he could be one day.
Right now, at least from what I have seen from him between last year in Dayton and in the spring showcase this year, Hamilton struggles to keep his weight back and is often lunging forward on his front foot as he swings. That isn't something you can do at the MLB level at all. When he keeps his weight back, I like his swing. He simply doesn't do it very often at this point.
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