Poll Billy Hamilton

[SidneySlicker]

When should the Reds target for Billy Hamilton's promotion to the majors?

[Crumbley]

In a perfect world, September 1.

[reds1869]

I'd like to see him up early enough that he is eligible for the playoff roster.

[RedEye]

The perfect day would be Opening Day 2014 as the first hitter in the lineup, after an All-Star transition year by Choo.

[Edd Roush]

I voted for September first, but I would have preferred the last day possible for him to be eligible for the playoff roster. I want him to continue developing in AAA for the majority of the year, but by the last day he would be playoff eligible, he should be ready to contribute to the major league team with not only his speed, but hopefully his bat and glove. Let's hope Billy continues his development this year.

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by Edd Roush

I voted for September first, but I would have preferred the last day possible for him to be eligible for the playoff roster.

The actual poll actually says just before Sept 1 to allow for that.

[Edd Roush]

Originally Posted by PuffyPig

The actual poll actually says just before Sept 1 to allow for that.

Well it says September call-up, which I always take as a guy who is called up on September 1st. I just wanted to clarify my vote.

[Scrap Irony]

A speed guy is worth much more in short series like the playoffs and World Series, so I'd prefer to see him instead of a backup middle infielder or long reliever. Therefore, I'd like to see him brought up in the last few days of August.

[George Anderson]

I really dont follow the reds minor league players like others do on this board but it appears to me that many see him as a cant miss type player and think its a matter of time before he is penciled in the lineup and is a superstar. From my perspective, other than the stolen bases, what is so great or promising about this guy? He has played but 50 games at the AA level with ok but not great results and Baseball America only has him ranked as the 48th best prospect in MLB.

Dont misunderstand, I am not saying I think he will be a dud but until he can prove he can get on base at the MLB level then he could be one of the thousands of prospects that excelled at the lower levels of the minors but couldnt perform at the higher levels. I am sure the reds could bring him up now to steal bases but I think the reds need more than another Herb Washington.I guess till I see him perform at a level higher than 50 games at AA then I cant get to excited about him.

Where am I wrong for those in the know?

[Edd Roush]

Originally Posted by George Anderson

Where am I wrong for those in the know?

Billy had an OBP of over .400 last year. If he can continue that, he will have tremendous value going forward, especially when you consider his speed.

[AtomicDumpling]

Originally Posted by George Anderson

I really dont follow the reds minor league players like others do on this board but it appears to me that many see him as a cant miss type player and think its a matter of time before he is penciled in the lineup and is a superstar. From my perspective, other than the stolen bases, what is so great or promising about this guy? He has played but 50 games at the AA level with ok but not great results and Baseball America only has him ranked as the 48th best prospect in MLB.

Dont misunderstand, I am not saying I think he will be a dud but until he can prove he can get on base at the MLB level then he could be one of the thousands of prospects that excelled at the lower levels of the minors but couldnt perform at the higher levels. I am sure the reds could bring him up now to steal bases but I think the reds need more than another Herb Washington.I guess till I see him perform at a level higher than 50 games then I cant get to excited about him.

Where am I wrong for those in the know?

Hamilton is not likely to be a superstar in my opinion. His success is going to depend to a huge extent on his OBP and his defense. He is unlikely to ever have much power. Stolen bases are over-rated in terms of their impact on scoring. For his running game to add significantly to his value his stolen base percentage will have to be 85% or better, which is unlikely to happen. Since he has no power his OBP will have to be .370+ and his defense will have to be above average in centerfield for him to be considered a star player.

Most prospect evaluators will have Hamilton ranked in their top 20 best prospects in baseball, most likely in the 10-20 range. He is a very good prospect and is highly likely to have a good MLB career, but I think his star potential is limited.

[kaldaniels]

Originally Posted by AtomicDumpling

He is a very good prospect and is highly likely to have a good MLB career, but I think his star potential is limited.

I would differ from you in that I think he has superstar potential. However I have a hunch I believe he has a higher chance to flame out than you. Who knows.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by George Anderson

Baseball America only has him ranked as the 48th best prospect in MLB.

That was before 2012. Odds are incredibly strong he will be a Top 25 prospect when the new list comes out in January.

[RANDY IN INDY]

Let Billy Hamilton dictate his arrival.

[Steve4192]

Originally Posted by RANDY IN INDY

Let Billy Hamilton dictate his arrival.

^ This

There is no need to put a timetable on him. He'll be ready when he's ready.

If he repeats his 2012 performance with the bat and looks good in the outfield, bring him up in June/July and pencil him into the lineup for the next six years. If he drops off a bit but still performs at an acceptable level, bring him up after the minor league playoffs in September and give him a long look as the starting CF in 2014. If he barely hits his weight and struggles in the field, start making plans for another CF solution.