"Boys, I'm one of those umpires that misses 'em every once in a while so if it's close, you'd better hit it." Cal Hubbard
He had a .286 average in 175 at-bats in Double-A with a .406 OBP. Not jaw dropping, but not horrible and worth saying he hasn't proven anything above A-ball. I sincerely think Hamilton will improve and at worse be Juan Pierre. Juan Pierre was damn good in the 2000s. He has game-changing speed and it is what the Reds need as they haven't had, and still do not have, a leadoff hitter in a few years.
And, I don't think Choo is the answer longterm at leadoff. I don't even consider him a leadoff hitter. Only 407 of his 2553 at-bats were batting leadoff.
"Boys, I'm one of those umpires that misses 'em every once in a while so if it's close, you'd better hit it." Cal Hubbard
Not true.
Top notch prospects (those ranked between 1-25) are almost sure bets to make it to the major leagues.
Success, however, is certainly not a sure thing at that point.
Hamilton had an outstanding year, both in AA and high A. His obp and speed (not to mention a high slugging percentage) are all signs of a player that can "play up" to his talent level. So are his continued improvement curve and his his high make-up.
In short, there's reason to be excited. (Though expectations need to be tempered with the idea that he may not work out, as you've already mentioned.)
.286 average in 175 at-bats in Double-A with a .406 OBP is an outstanding year?
Hamilton very well may one day live up to his expectations but the poster I responded to originally was saying he would be dissapointed if Walt didn't have him penciled in at the leadoff spot in 2014. It is way to early to expect that considering what we have seen so far in the minors.
"Boys, I'm one of those umpires that misses 'em every once in a while so if it's close, you'd better hit it." Cal Hubbard
Let's finish those numbers, shall we?
.286/ .406/ .383/ .789
51 SB/ 16 CS
33 Runs
50 games
17% BB rate
20 % K rate
22-years-old
I'd call that pretty incredible for 50 games, yeah.
If you extrapolate those numbers over a full season, you're talking a leadoff guy scoring 100 runs, with 150 SB, and an obp over .400.
Who wouldn't take that?
Well we are all entitled to what we define as a "pretty incredible" but the reality is this "pretty incredible" feat as you defined it only happened in 50 games at the AA level. Show me where Hamilton can put up these numbers consistently in more games at a higher level and I will jump on the bandwagon.
"Boys, I'm one of those umpires that misses 'em every once in a while so if it's close, you'd better hit it." Cal Hubbard
Well, just watch Louisville this season and you'll see.
Why would this make you mad? It would be a really good thing imho for Hamilton (provided he shows development at AAA and if he gets a September call-up) to be the 4th outfielder behind Choo and Ludwick - getting his feet wet, making starts in CF with Choo in LF so Ludwick gets a break, coming in as a pinch runner. He could easily play his way into a starters roll by the end of the season or end up getting ready to be the starter in 2015 with Choo in LF after Ludwick's contract is up.
If evolution is outlawed, only outlaws will evolve!
I can't stand when teams bring up a top prospect and lets him rot on the bench. In September, I understand, but I think it would be be stupid to let his arbitration clock continue to click if they don't play on him starting in April 2014. Then again, the Reds have shown with Frazier that they don't care if you're better than who is starting.
Board Moderators may, at their discretion and judgment, delete and/or edit any messages that violate any of the following guidelines: 1. Explicit references to alleged illegal or unlawful acts. 2. Graphic sexual descriptions. 3. Racial or ethnic slurs. 4. Use of edgy language (including masked profanity). 5. Direct personal attacks, flames, fights, trolling, baiting, name-calling, general nuisance, excessive player criticism or anything along those lines. 6. Posting spam. 7. Each person may have only one user account. It is fine to be critical here - that's what this board is for. But let's not beat a subject or a player to death, please. |