I love the move up for Hamilton. Now is the time to see if he keeps up the discipline and walk rate as he advances. I expect the iso power to decline quite a bit especially at first but if he keeps getting on base, keeps his average at .280 or above and his .OBP at .350 or better by season's end I'll be happy (thrilled) with his progress.
Agreed. I'm a big Cozart fan, but he's pretty splitty and a left handed alter-ego makes a ton of sense. It doesn't need to be a straight platoon, but a guy who can capably man SS while playing twice a week against RHP makes the position better and I'd guess Cozart will also play better on the days that he does play with less exposure.
All my posts are my opinion - just like yours are. If I forget to state it and you're too dense to see the obvious, look here!
I can't see Cozart and Gregorious splitting time at SS. One should be traded before that point. Leaving aside Hamilton, if Gregorious hits well enough to where the Reds would call him up and have him take starts, then a decision should be made in regard to who to keep and who to trade. A good defensive MLB caliber SS who can hit decently is too valuable of a commodity to simply keep for spot starts. A SS like that could bring too good of a return to waste like that.
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Except both are probably over-exposed playing every day. I think as a tandem, they could make the Reds SS production among the best in the league. On their own, they are defensive specialists who will struggle to get on base and be in the bottom half of the league production wise. Not sure that either would bring back more than an interchangeable part on their own.
All my posts are my opinion - just like yours are. If I forget to state it and you're too dense to see the obvious, look here!
Im excited cause i'm going to a Blue Wahoos game later this month!
“I think I throw the ball as hard as anyone. The ball just doesn't get there as fast.” — Eddie Bane
“We know we're better than this ... but we can't prove it.” — Tony Gwynn
I know. This is what I've been waiting for - to see how much he can do at this level. Big step up. Moving from an incredibly friendly hitter's league to a neutral or a bit suppressive league. Facing a much better level of pitching. Running against guys who are better at holding him on and catchers who are better at throwing. This, imo, is the most difficult test he faces until he actually jumps to the big leagues. Here is where so many guys stumble on their climb.
I think there's a good chance that Billy stryggles quite a bit the second half, but I think it will serve him well next year. All depends on how he is at adapting to new challenges.
Hamilton has had some prolonged struggles in his career and every time he has rebounded incredibly well. He didn't hit much at all in the GCL the year he was drafted. Then he went to Billings the next year and hit .318 with some patience. He then struggled mightily over the first half in Dayton. Then he hit incredibly well over the second half.
With that said, I am with you in that I think Hamilton could struggle some in AA upon his promotion. But, Hamilton has responded, eventually, with each struggle. The guy works incredibly hard.
Move him to CF now. Cozart is our SS of the present and future. We don't have a legit CF. We don't have a legit leadoff hitter. Hamilton could be ideal for both roles.
We all know he's not going to be a SS at the MLB level. Move him to CF now. No need to wait.
Cozart is a decent enough placeholder, but I am not sure I want him as 'the future' for the Reds at SS. He's got a nice glove and some pop in his bat, but he is an out machine. He's basically the SS equivalent of Drew Stubbs (great glove, good power, oodles of outs) and I don't see anyone pining for Stubbs as 'the future' at CF.
If Hamilton can continue to get on base and improve his defense enough to stick at SS, I'd much rather have him as 'the future'.
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