Josh Hamilton

[ncman31]

I am new to this board and probably won't check it much except to see how Josh is doing, but thought i would introduce myself. I know Josh and his family very well and in a way grew up with him. Saw him play ball all the way up from his days of little league through high school. Haven't got a chance to see him yet in his professional career but I hope to do so this year. I just wanted to stop in here and let ya'll know that Josh is on a mission right now to correct his errors and get back on the right track.I hope he has everyone's support in the Reds organization. Let me know if you have any questions.

[Redhook]

Welcome to the board!

I think it's safe to say that all of us here at Redszone are rooting for Josh to do well on and off the field this year. Hopefully his story will end happily.

[smith288]

Welcome to the board!

I think it's safe to say that all of us here at Redszone are rooting for Josh to do well on and off the field this year. Hopefully his story will end happily.

Oh its safe to say? I think people who make mistakes should be condemned since the rest of us are pretty much squeaky clean, right?

Jk. I agree, Josh has 100% support. And if he doesn't, who is the Grade A arse munch who doesnt??

[RollyInRaleigh]

Oh its safe to say? I think people who make mistakes should be condemned since the rest of us are pretty much squeaky clean, right?

Jk. I agree, Josh has 100% support. And if he doesn't, who is the Grade A arse munch who doesnt??

[smith288]

I was at first being facetious, then the second part was being serious. Nobody would be against that kid. If they are against that guy, then they are Grade A buttholes.

[UGADaddy]

I'm hoping he's starting in centerfield on Opening Day!!

[lollipopcurve]

NC31,

Welcome! Thanks for checking in.

Josh is the best story of the young season, by far, in my opinion, and I'm really hoping he can stick in the Reds organization. My question to you is, what kind of timetable do you think he'll need to be a productive major leaguer?

[ncman31]

I dont think there is any question that he could do well in the majors from the very start. He's been around, if he can prove he has his head on straight through the spring then I think he'd be ready. The guy is the absolute best baseball player I have ever seen (competed against or played with many... delmon young, scott kazmir, justin/bj upton, etc.).

What kind of chances does he have at makin the squad? What position, CF?

[Redhook]

What kind of chances does he have at makin the squad? What position, CF?

From what I've heard, people are saying good things about him in practice. That being said, I think this only increases his chances of making the team to about 50%. We'll all have a much better idea of where he stands two-three weeks from now. I think he'll play CF or RF.

[ncman31]

thanks. he's been in the news a good bit down here but we dont get much REDS information. i have to rely on you guys and the mlb site.

[Eric_Davis]

He's got a lot of question marks. Being out of the game for so long being #1. I can't see someone doing well in the majors without spending a couple hundred at-bats at least in the minors first. I hope Josh is OK with that and doesn't expect to be handed a job just because he has a good Spring. There's established guys ahead of him that have paid their dues.

[RedEye]

He's got a lot of question marks. Being out of the game for so long being #1. I can't see someone doing well in the majors without spending a couple hundred at-bats at least in the minors first. I hope Josh is OK with that and doesn't expect to be handed a job just because he has a good Spring. There's established guys ahead of him that have paid their dues.

I can't see inside Kriv and Narron's minds (that would be kind of scary anyway), but I suppose there is precedent in our organization for keeping a 25th man who doesn't have much minor league experience (see Pena, Wily Mo). I would say that it is very likely Josh will make the team... especially if he proves he can play a good defensive outfield. From what I've heard, he's got a cannon for an arm. If he can hit a little bit he should be good to go.

[buckeyenut]

I can't see inside Kriv and Narron's minds (that would be kind of scary anyway), but I suppose there is precedent in our organization for keeping a 25th man who doesn't have much minor league experience (see Pena, Wily Mo). I would say that it is very likely Josh will make the team... especially if he proves he can play a good defensive outfield. From what I've heard, he's got a cannon for an arm. If he can hit a little bit he should be good to go.

Quite frankly, I don't think you can consider something that Jim Bowden did (keeping Wily Mo around) is precedent for today's Reds organization.

That said, unless his raw talent is gone, Hamilton is 25th man on roster, at least for the first couple of months. If we were seriously in a pennant race come June and Hamilton is giving us absolutely nothing, then I could see dropping him. But not out of spring training. Not if the talent is still there.

[crazybob60]

Welcome aboard!!! Although I am fairly new member myself here, or how would you put it, a lurker who just came out of lurkerdom myself this past season. Anyways, do you have any funny or fun stories about Josh per chance??? Also, I think Josh sticks with the club out of ST, actually probably has to, but I would he he sticks with them despite the fact of him being a RULE 5. Anyways, as I have stated elsewhere, I think there is just so much hype surround this youngster (if you can call him that now, well I don't know) that I hope he doesn't crack under the pressure, him being in Cincy will help alleviate this pressure where the media isn't so harsh, where if he would be in say New York or Chicago, etc. I bet he wouldn't last that long at ALL. Anyways, he will start out in probably RF but be the reserve RF to Freel/Denorfia, then I bet if he turns out to be the real deal, then they move Griffey to RF, insert Hamilton and either Freel/Denorfia to CF and then trade either Freel/Denorfia for some additional either middle relief help and or a closer. Those are my thoughts, but hey my thoughts aren't always the best ones.

[The Crosley Kid]

I wish Josh all the best in his personal and professional life.