Billy Hamilton

[Benihana]

I agree. I think we ought to collect the draft pick and kick the tires on choo just to see if we can't get him at a discounted rate for two to three years (highly unlikely) then maybe look into guys in left who could be a good bridge to winker.

I agree with this, and have always maintained I wouldn't go more than 3 years with an option on Choo. If he gets 5 years, I'd rather he get it elsewhere.

However if we can get him on a 3 year, ~$50MM deal, I'd be very interested.

[reds44]

I'm thinking he's going to get 5 for somewhere between 80-100.

[Benihana]

I'm thinking he's going to get 5 for somewhere between 80-100.

I think I'd pass at that level.

[OGB]

I'm thinking he's going to get 5 for somewhere between 80-100.

If he doesn't get that contract, it'll be because he completely tanks in the rest of 2013 or for some reason fires Boras.
I love Choo, but he won't be back.

[mdccclxix]

VS LHP 2013: .231/.237/.341/.577 1:22 bb:k

Billy's approach from the right side has completely fallen apart for the time being. He has 1 walk all year! His OPS from the left side is .694 with a much more tolerable 23:26 bb:k ratio. What's going on?

[RedEye]

VS LHP 2013: .231/.237/.341/.577 1:22 bb:k

Billy's approach from the right side has completely fallen apart for the time being. He has 1 walk all year! His OPS from the left side is .694 with a much more tolerable 23:26 bb:k ratio. What's going on?

Walt is calling Boras about an extension for Choo?

[reds44]

Walt is calling Boras about an extension for Choo?

Because Choo hits lefties so well?

[RedEye]

Because Choo hits lefties so well?

No... because Choo hits well enough overall to be the starting CF on the big club. Right now it doesn't look like Billy is going to be ready anytime soon.

[757690]

VS LHP 2013: .231/.237/.341/.577 1:22 bb:k

Billy's approach from the right side has completely fallen apart for the time being. He has 1 walk all year! His OPS from the left side is .694 with a much more tolerable 23:26 bb:k ratio. What's going on?

That's actually encouraging.

Hamilton is a natural righthanded hitter who just started switchhitting when he went pro. The report on him was that he had a nice swing and approach from the right side, but was a disaster from the left side. It seems like he's been focusing on improving his lefthanded swing and approach, and it's working.

Having seen Hamilton many times, I have full faith in his ability to hit righthanded, it always was his strength. This slump on the right side is probably just that, a slump caused by his focusing too much on his lefthanded swing. He probably hasn't faced that many lefties this season either.

Give him a week to focus back on his swing from the right side, and I'm confident it will be his stronger side again. If he can maintain a .700 OPS from the left side, his overall numbers should be higher than that when he's fully developed as a hitter.

[11larkin11]

Billy with a homer today from the right side. Showing a little more pop this year than previous years.

[RedLegsToday]

single season career high for homeruns now. Sluggin' Billy? :-)

[Steve4192]

single season career high for homeruns now. Sluggin' Billy? :-)

Home Run Hamilton.

[reds44]

No... because Choo hits well enough overall to be the starting CF on the big club. Right now it doesn't look like Billy is going to be ready anytime soon.

So you overpay for a guy who is quickly becoming a platoon player and can't field CF to begin with?

[NeilHamburger]

This is what I was afraid of. From Baseball Prospectus:

“The speed is absolutely fantastic. He’s fun to watch when he’s on the bases, but I just don’t see how it’s going to work. There’s nothing else that makes me believe he’s an everyday big leaguer. You can knock the bat out of his hands with good velocity and he doesn’t have the discerning eye to work counts and lay off spin. I just think the hit and on-base comes up short and he’s a virtual zero offensively. If he can figure everything out in center field then maybe has a future hitting eighth or ninth and playing good D, but that’s even stretching it for me.”

[TOBTTReds]

This is what I was afraid of. From Baseball Prospectus:

“The speed is absolutely fantastic. He’s fun to watch when he’s on the bases, but I just don’t see how it’s going to work. There’s nothing else that makes me believe he’s an everyday big leaguer. You can knock the bat out of his hands with good velocity and he doesn’t have the discerning eye to work counts and lay off spin. I just think the hit and on-base comes up short and he’s a virtual zero offensively. If he can figure everything out in center field then maybe has a future hitting eighth or ninth and playing good D, but that’s even stretching it for me.”

4 months ago, this was not the sentiment (well some things weren't). Hopefully he makes some adjustments.