Karl Ravech destroying Billy Hamilton on the BBTN podcast

[dfs]

The other thing that leads to the swings like the one mentioned is the fact that he is still learning to be a switch hitter. Anyone know why they went down the path of making him a switch hitter anyways? Seems like a bad move so late in his career, when he is at the AAA/MLB level.

Closer to first base from the left side.
He started switch hitting 3 years ago in low a ball.

[SteelSD]

MLB K rate so far this year, 20.9%. Hamilton's is 21.6%. He has a better K rate than Mesoraco, Phillips, Bruce, and Ludwick.

You do realize that Hamilton's value hinges on getting on base and that, with no power and a pedestrian walk rate, the only way he can really do that it to produce a high frequency of balls in play, right? And do you also realize that Hamilton's bunt attempts are artificially suppressing his K rate?

[kbrake]

Actually the question is would the 2014 reds be best served by Hamilton learning at AAA instead of making outs in major league games. The answer lies in whether or not you believe the Reds have a better alternative for CF. I think a Skippy/Heisey platoon would contribute more run production and the Reds would be better off without Hamilton in the line-up. There is still plenty for him to learn at AAA. There may be a time when he's mastered AAA and the only way for him to improve is to face major league pitching, but I don't think he's close to there yet, so the decision to put him in the line-up shouldn't be about his development, it should be about who gives the Reds the best chance to win. I don't think that's Hamilton at this point.

Does his defense do anything for you? I think he can help contribute in other ways than just at the plate. I understand the concerns with him especially leading off but just curious if you think the other parts of his game can help right now.

[dsmith421]

Does his defense do anything for you? I think he can help contribute in other ways than just at the plate. I understand the concerns with him especially leading off but just curious if you think the other parts of his game can help right now.

He looks great defensively but we already have one all-defense millstone around our necks right now.

One creative solution might be to pay Stephen Drew, thus bringing the offensive production at SS up to an acceptable level, plug Drew in at the top of the lineup, leverage Cozart as a defensive replacement and utility guy that can spell BP and Frazier, and move Billy down to 8th in the order. I don't know if it's in the budget or the Reds would have any interest. Seems to me that taking the pressure off Hamilton and letting him adapt at a more reasonable pace might be worth the loss of the pick, because he's a big part of the club's short- and medium-term plan. But that may be too short sighted.

[tomnuetten]

He looks great defensively but we already have one all-defense millstone around our necks right now.

One creative solution might be to pay Stephen Drew, thus bringing the offensive production at SS up to an acceptable level, plug Drew in at the top of the lineup, leverage Cozart as a defensive replacement and utility guy that can spell BP and Frazier, and move Billy down to 8th in the order. I don't know if it's in the budget or the Reds would have any interest. Seems to me that taking the pressure off Hamilton and letting him adapt at a more reasonable pace might be worth the loss of the pick, because he's a big part of the club's short- and medium-term plan. But that may be too short sighted.

the problem is that drew is not that much of am improvemant (if at all). you have to give up a draft pick and lots of money => not a good move at all

put phillips at leadoff and say to him that he has to get on base... he said his role was to produce rbi´s last year, so now give him a new role (I doubt his obp would rise a lot but it would help to minimalize his GIDP)

votto 2nd, bruce 3rd , rocco/ludwick/frazier 4th (whoever is on a hot streak gets the cleanup position)

[dsmith421]

the problem is that drew is not that much of am improvemant (if at all). you have to give up a draft pick and lots of money => not a good move at all

Stephen Drew's career OPS: 777. Cozart's career OPS: 665. Drew's career OBP: .329. Cozart's career OBP: .282. And that ignores the downward trends for Cozart since his rookie year. You leverage Zack's appearances to maximize defensive value. Start him when Leake pitches. If 110 OPS points and a professional plate approach, plus significant pennant race and postseason experience, don't qualify as improvement, I guess such a thing doesn't exist at all.

put phillips at leadoff and say to him that he has to get on base...

Damn, I'm a baseball ignoramus. What a great solution. Just tell Phillips to get on base more. "Hey Brandon, would you mind getting on base more?" "Oh, crap, Skip, that's a great plan."

[RedsManRick]

If you think Hamilton is going to sustain a .231 BABIP, raise your hand.

[757690]

You do realize that Hamilton's value hinges on getting on base and that, with no power and a pedestrian walk rate, the only way he can really do that it to produce a high frequency of balls in play, right? And do you also realize that Hamilton's bunt attempts are artificially suppressing his K rate?

Hamilton clearly needs to cut down on his K's. But that K rate is not one of a player who is a K machine, or overmatched, or doesn't belong in the majors, as has been suggested.

[kaldaniels]

If you think Hamilton is going to sustain a .231 BABIP, raise your hand.

Nope, but those bunt-for-hit attempts are problematic.

[Captain Hook]

Well he does have a 3 games hit streak going and has hit in the last 5 games the Reds have won.

[Trajinous]

Hamilton has a higher AVG than Bruce. I'm starting to think this Bruce experiment isn't going to work......

[dougdirt]

IIRC each level he played at in the minors, Hamilton struggled for the first half season while he adjusted. After that he improved. AA was probably the only exception. I would not expect the majors to be different and hopefully he will be given time to adjust and improve.

You don't quite recall correctly. HE didn't really struggle in Billings. He didn't really struggle in the 2012 season and split time between Bakersfield and Pensacola. He did struggle in both Dayton and Louisville though and did hit better in the second half of each of those years.

[dougdirt]

Hamilton has a higher AVG than Bruce. I'm starting to think this Bruce experiment isn't going to work......

A few differences....

Jay Bruce isn't entirely dependent on his batting average to have offensive value. Bruce, at least right now, leads the league in walks. Bruce also is going to hit 30 bombs. Hamilton is entirely reliant on his batting average because his walk rate isn't going to be much and he might hit 3-5 home runs.

Bruce has a track record of production at the big league level. Billy Hamilton doesn't have a track record of success above Double-A.

[Red Raindog]

A few differences....

Jay Bruce isn't entirely dependent on his batting average to have offensive value. Bruce, at least right now, leads the league in walks. Bruce also is going to hit 30 bombs. Hamilton is entirely reliant on his batting average because his walk rate isn't going to be much and he might hit 3-5 home runs.

Bruce has a track record of production at the big league level. Billy Hamilton doesn't have a track record of success above Double-A.

I think your humor detector needs an adjustment

[dougdirt]

Also, side note about Hamilton picking up switch hitting. He did so back in 2009. He was bunting from the left side of the plate in his high school draft video. The Reds put it in effect after he was drafted and he started swinging from that side that year as well. He is still learning it, but it isn't as some have noted in this thread, something he picked up in Dayton or in Louisville.

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I think your humor detector needs an adjustment

I checked. Batteries were dead. I switched them out.

Sidenote. I'm a robot.