Josh Hamilton [Archive] - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

Jaycint

03-01-2007, 04:52 PM

I'm very excited about the HR today myself but let's keep everything in perspective. He still has a long way to go, even longer to be a solid contributing member of the team.

I'll be pulling for him every step of the way and it's going to be a fun ride watching him develop but the climb is still long and steep.

reds44

03-01-2007, 04:54 PM

crazybob60

03-01-2007, 04:54 PM

I sure do hope that all the signs right now are of what is to come....because that could make for a very exciting and a very interesting season....interesting because it would force the move of Junior even faster to the RF side of the OF....Question....if Hamilton works out and gets the job by say season's end and we end ridding ourselves of both Denorfia and Freel by season's end as well and Griffey is in RF. Say when Bruce and both Votto are ready, does that mean either Junior is done here is in Cincy, does he move to a platoon role, does he move to a different team to play OF/1B/DH, retirement???? Quite the quandry if that does pan out, eh?

Regardless, I was glad to hear bout this blast!!!!

crazybob60

03-01-2007, 04:59 PM

He's 2 steps ahead of Denorfia after today's game. Granted, there is a long, long way to go.

Do you think there is the possibility that Hamilton could earn a starting spot in the OF ahead of Denorfia and possibly even Freel? What do you think it would take out of 'Muscles' (yes, that is my nickname for him, either that or 'Tattoo' but I like 'Muscles' mucho better!!!) to get him spot?

Reds Fanatic

03-01-2007, 05:01 PM

This from C. Trent's blog. Hamilton called his shot today.

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/spring/

Josh Hamilton's last home run? 2002. He hit 9 in 2002 before having season-ending surgery on July 18 of that year.

Add to that -- he called it.

Hamilton and David Ross were talking before that at-bat. Ross was counting all the homers that had been hit already during the game. Hamilton then said, "You forgot one." After Ross looked at him, Hamilton continued, "The one I'm going to hit."

And did he ever.

With all that Hamilton has been through, you could just see the excitement on his face and how much being out here -- forget the home run -- meant to him.

We've been debating this since the beginning of spring training. At first I was in the minority that I thought they'd keep him. I don't think I am anymore. I'd even put money on it. I'll be shocked if he isn't a Red in 2008.

reds44

03-01-2007, 05:01 PM

Do you think there is the possibility that Hamilton could earn a starting spot in the OF ahead of Denorfia and possibly even Freel? What do you think it would take out of 'Muscles' (yes, that is my nickname for him, either that or 'Tattoo' but I like 'Muscles' mucho better!!!) to get him spot?
Denorfia, yes.
Freel, no.

Narron has said that Hamilton and Denorfia are among those competing for the 5th OF spot.

BRM

03-01-2007, 05:02 PM

Narron has said that Hamilton and Denorfia are among those competing for the 5th OF spot.

Everytime I read that, the dumber it sounds.

dougdirt

03-01-2007, 05:22 PM

Everytime I read that, the dumber it sounds.

I will second that and then some.

ncman31

03-01-2007, 06:20 PM

GOod to see another North Carolinian around here, I refused to be called a Tarheel. I rather ya'll call me a Wolfpacker.

;)

Chip R

03-01-2007, 07:21 PM

Denorfia, yes.
Freel, no.

Narron has said that Hamilton and Denorfia are among those competing for the 5th OF spot.

I'm not so sure Hamilton is Deno's competition. If you take Hamilton out of the mix, you could go with that 12th pitcher or the 3rd catcher.

vaticanplum

03-01-2007, 07:51 PM

If Hamilton is awesome, I will incur a bit of JEALOUSY from my friends for being a Reds fan. THIS NEVER HAPPENS.

Eric_Davis

03-01-2007, 08:04 PM

Nice start

OnBaseMachine

03-01-2007, 08:49 PM

I love this kid. I'm so pumped about him, he's gonna be something special down the road...I can feel it.

sm00th_kw

03-01-2007, 09:05 PM

Wow...one spring training game y'all. Settle down down a bit...

Enrico Pallazzo

03-01-2007, 09:33 PM

gotta say good for josh, he better keep gettin at bats

Razor Shines

03-02-2007, 01:15 AM

Wow...one spring training game y'all. Settle down down a bit...

Yeah but there's nothing wrong with being excited. It's a game and we're not playing so the best we can do is be excited for a kid trying to make a come back who could help our team. I don't care if it's one game I'm pumped about Hamilton and I'm gonna be pumped about him until I have a reason not to be.

icehole3

03-02-2007, 04:38 AM

nothing wrong with rooting for someone who's been thru what he's been thru. Thats what baseball is all about ups and downs.

CINCYREDS#1

03-02-2007, 09:59 AM

impressive first showing

our defense wasnt too good though, but its nice to see dunn whack another one into the seats

Krash

03-02-2007, 10:19 AM

Everytime I read that, the dumber it sounds.

Why?

corkedbat

03-02-2007, 10:19 AM

I'm pulling for Josh if for no other reason than the lack of OF prospects in the system after Bruce (not sold yet on Stubbs).

BRM

03-02-2007, 10:23 AM

Why?

Conine should NEVER enter the discussion for the OF depth chart. That's the absolute dumbest part of the OF competition. Deno and Hamilton shouldn't be "competing for the 5th OF spot" either. Deno should already be a lock for the 4th spot, at worst. Hamilton should be competing for the 5th spot with Crosby and Hopper.

TOBTTReds

03-02-2007, 10:58 AM

Conine should NEVER enter the discussion for the OF depth chart. That's the absolute dumbest part of the OF competition. Deno and Hamilton shouldn't be "competing for the 5th OF spot" either. Deno should already be a lock for the 4th spot, at worst. Hamilton should be competing for the 5th spot with Crosby and Hopper.

I agree completely.

bounty37h

03-02-2007, 11:46 AM

Here, here, from yet another Tar Heel! With the way the Heels are looking going into the final stretch, I may be even more excited (is it possible) for the start of the Reds season!

George Anderson

03-02-2007, 12:59 PM

I love this kid. I'm so pumped about him, he's gonna be something special down the road...I can feel it.

Lets hope we see a made for TV movie somewhere down the road.

Anyone know what Hamiltons defense is like??

bradmu

03-02-2007, 01:08 PM

Lets hope we see a made for TV movie somewhere down the road.

Anyone know what Hamiltons defense is like??

As a propsect, he was noted as being an outstanding defensive outfield, being able to play all 3 positions very well. Plus, he has an absolute cannon for an arm. I read that in high school, he threw out a guy trying to score from 3rd on a sac fly on a ball that was hit to the warning track...just missing a homer. Obviously he wasn't throwing out Freel or a speedster trying to score, but none the less that is an incredible feat to accomplish.

and a question....if you are a team trying to figure out who to keep...Chad Moeller or Josh Hamilton, really, does that even justify a thought? I really hope we don't go down the 3 catchers path again. Freel can catch in emergencies if needed. no reason to waste another spot like we did last year.

George Anderson

03-02-2007, 01:14 PM

As a propsect, he was noted as being an outstanding defensive outfield, being able to play all 3 positions very well. Plus, he has an absolute cannon for an arm. I read that in high school, he threw out a guy trying to score from 3rd on a sac fly on a ball that was hit to the warning track...just missing a homer. Obviously he wasn't throwing out Freel or a speedster trying to score, but none the less that is an incredible feat to accomplish.

and a question....if you are a team trying to figure out who to keep...Chad Moeller or Josh Hamilton, really, does that even justify a thought? I really hope we don't go down the 3 catchers path again. Freel can catch in emergencies if needed. no reason to waste another spot like we did last year.

Well if Hamiltons defense is that good then even if he only performs mediocre at the plate from here on out , the Reds should be able to keep him on the roster is for any other reason as a late inning defensive replacement for Griff and Dunn. Anything he does extra with the bat is just icing on the cake.

bradmu

03-02-2007, 01:17 PM

Well if Hamiltons defense is that good then even if he only performs mediocre at the plate from here on out , the Reds should be able to keep him on the roster is for any other reason as a late inning defensive replacement for Griff and Dunn. Anything he does extra with the bat is just icing on the cake.

Exactly what I was thinking. He's no Wily Mo because he can catch a fly ball. Even if he can only muster up a .220 average and show an improvement from start of spring to the end, I think he makes the team.

JaxRed

03-02-2007, 01:19 PM

Wow...one spring training game y'all. Settle down down a bit...

Excuse me, I'll get excited even if you don't approve.

bucksfan2

03-02-2007, 01:20 PM

I was listening to sportstalk last night and Thom was talking about Hamilton. He said something that I think is very true. He said that a scout said if you put hamilton in there as an every day player the first half of the season he may hit .100 but the second half he may hit .400. There has been a lot of discussions about whether freel or deno should start as the final outfielder. This may be a mute point if Hamilton shows some promise. Maybe I am a little too optimistic about this but if hamilton plays every day I can see him leading the team in rbi's in the second half of the season.

Hey Meat

03-02-2007, 02:33 PM

I'm not so sure Hamilton is Deno's competition. If you take Hamilton out of the mix, you could go with that 12th pitcher or the 3rd catcher.
If you take him out of the mix, don't you lose him because he is a rule 5 player? I wish we would add some more meat to our lineup which is what we traded off for pitching and supposed fielding. Still don't think that was a good one, took us out of the playoff hunt.

AdamDunn

03-02-2007, 02:40 PM

I'm not so sure Hamilton is Deno's competition. If you take Hamilton out of the mix, you could go with that 12th pitcher or the 3rd catcher.

Can't they carry freel, deno, and hamilton? freel is an infielder too... Valentine, Conine, Deno, Freel, and Hamilton? When Gonzalez takes a rest, move Phillips to SS and put Freel at 2B.

smith288

03-02-2007, 02:47 PM

dougdirt

03-02-2007, 03:06 PM

I would be a fan of Deno not being a part of the discussion at all. I never understood the man love he got and after watching him look like a professional pitcher at bat than an OF last year, i decided that guy aint an answer.

I dont know any professional pitchers that hit .353 in a months worth of at bats like Denorfia did last year when he finally had consistant playing time in September. Do people forget he hit .283 last year?

TRF

03-02-2007, 03:16 PM

I dont know any professional pitchers that hit .353 in a months worth of at bats like Denorfia did last year when he finally had consistant playing time in September. Do people forget he hit .283 last year?

Yes... they do.

Deno isn't going to cost the Reds Hamilton. Conine, Castro or Moeller will.

ugh.

KronoRed

03-02-2007, 03:25 PM

Get ready for "it was only against September scrub call ups" but that same logic doesn't apply when talking about any other Red having a good September ;)

Every pitcher Deno got a hit off of last year.

Scott Eyre
Mike Gonzalez
Tom Martin
Ray King
Jason Jennings
Mike Pelfrey
Matt Wise
Ken Ray
David Wells
Ryan Dempster
Roy Oswalt
Matt Albers
Juan Mateo
Dontrelle Willis
Randy Messenger
Anibal Sanchez
Taylor Tankersley
Ricky Nolasco
Zach Duke
Marty McLeary

Some scrubs in there for sure, but a few names that I'm sure we'll hear this year as well.

JaxRed

03-02-2007, 03:31 PM

Get ready for "it was only against September scrub call ups" but that same logic doesn't apply when talking about any other Red having a good September ;)

And if you do an analysis of Denorfia's September, It was NOT against Sep callups, it was against guys like David Wells, Dontrelle Willis. Almost none of his hits were against callups.

Edit: Krono beat me to it...

BRM

03-02-2007, 05:57 PM

I dont know any professional pitchers that hit .353 in a months worth of at bats like Denorfia did last year when he finally had consistant playing time in September. Do people forget he hit .283 last year?

Apparently. I think quite a few people assume the guy that saw limited action in July is the real Deno.

Chip R

03-02-2007, 06:08 PM

If you take him out of the mix, don't you lose him because he is a rule 5 player? I wish we would add some more meat to our lineup which is what we traded off for pitching and supposed fielding. Still don't think that was a good one, took us out of the playoff hunt.

Right. But I was just saying if Hamilton wasn't even drafted or they decide to offer him back to TB.

Can't they carry freel, deno, and hamilton? freel is an infielder too... Valentine, Conine, Deno, Freel, and Hamilton? When Gonzalez takes a rest, move Phillips to SS and put Freel at 2B.

They could but I think they would much rather carry a 12th pitcher or a 3rd catcher rather than another OFer. Especially since Deno has options.

You do bring up an interesting point. Would they move BP to SS if Gonzo were injured or taking a day off? They seemed very reluctant to play BP at SS last year.

BRM

03-02-2007, 06:10 PM

You do bring up an interesting point. Would they move BP to SS if Gonzo were injured or taking a day off? They seemed very reluctant to play BP at SS last year.

No they won't. Castro is your SS when Gonzo is taking a day off.