tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347536209014288641.post4786246138615458710..comments2023-10-20T06:12:38.934-07:00Comments on Redlegs Baseball: 2010 Top Prospect List: #11 Billy Hamilton, ssLark11http://www.blogger.com/profile/06571198327064220683noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347536209014288641.post-47181227103468259822010-05-04T22:43:17.808-07:002010-05-04T22:43:17.808-07:00Anon,
I haven't seen it reported anywhere, bu...Anon,<br /><br />I haven't seen it reported anywhere, but there is a very, very strong likelihood that the Reds are keeping Hamilton in extended spring training. <br /><br />The reality of the situation is that Hamilton is a very young prospect, but more than that he is incredibly raw. He's a multi-sport athlete coming out of High School, so he's simply not ready for full season ball. If the Reds didn't view him as being ready for low-A Dayton, then they'd have to keep him in extended spring training. <br /><br />So, I suspect you'll see Hamilton in the near future. Maybe some additional work in extended spring training will make him ready for low-A in the eyes of the Reds. More likely, he'll head back to short season rookie ball with the Billings Mustangs. <br /><br />So, keep your eyes peeled. Hamilton will resurface soon. <br /><br />Thanks for the comment!<br /><br />Best,<br />LarkLark11https://www.blogger.com/profile/06571198327064220683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347536209014288641.post-68059536469933505622010-05-03T13:37:44.974-07:002010-05-03T13:37:44.974-07:00Hi. I've been trying to figure out the future ...Hi. I've been trying to figure out the future of the Reds shortstop position, and wanted to see how Hamilton has been doing since his first rookie work. however I cant find wind of him. Is he injured, or just not playing yet in the minors for some reason?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347536209014288641.post-24922674729392751342010-03-09T21:24:28.028-08:002010-03-09T21:24:28.028-08:00Will,
True, he has played baseball, but you know ...Will,<br /><br />True, he has played baseball, but you know that in this day and age top prospects play almost year round. They are on high school teams, all star teams, travel teams, etc. etc. etc. The most glaring example out there that most people will know is Bryce Harper. He's all baseball, all the time. Not just in baseball season. <br /><br />Hamilton has absurd athleticism, but he simply hasn't gotten the same type of reps and experience that other prospects have gotten. So, he is definitely behind on the development curve. Still, he remains perhaps the ultimate light switch prospect in the system. If he flips the switch, he'll be brilliant in a hurry. Otherwise, he'll stumble around in darkness and obscurity. <br /><br />Still, hard not to like the upside, even if we have to fear the downside. <br /><br />Thanks for the comment!<br /><br />Best,<br />LarkLark11https://www.blogger.com/profile/06571198327064220683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347536209014288641.post-3430969929712886682010-03-05T14:43:41.029-08:002010-03-05T14:43:41.029-08:00I agree with most everything you said. But let'...I agree with most everything you said. But let's not forget that he has played baseball coming up. So it's not as if we would be starting from scratch on him or doing anything differently from what we would any other amatuer except for the degree/extent of work. But there is a good deal of work here with him no doubt. But good coaching is always the key in addition to the players willingness and ability to learn. I am usually quite optimistic if those 3 things are good. I know trying to extract that information from the fact he played 3 sports isn't real telling but it's something. He could have chose a host of things to do with his time but it seems he has some ambition and as some may know try to have a life outside of a HS sport and it's practices and homework, let alone 3.<br /><br />WillAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347536209014288641.post-86929144885358586782010-03-04T07:44:32.508-08:002010-03-04T07:44:32.508-08:00Will,
You may be right. Still, I have concerns, a...Will,<br /><br />You may be right. Still, I have concerns, as baseball requires a specific set of skills and those skills don't always come easy, even to great athletes. <br /><br />Also, I'm not convinced that his ability to play three sports at a high level necessarily works as evidence of his work ethic. It certainly could be, or he could simply be blowing everyone at the high school level away with his off the charts athleticism. <br /><br />Unfortunately, the gifted amateur players can frequently get by on their physical gifts alone, as there is simply no one who can challenge them athletically. It's not until they reach the professional ranks that they find equivalent players and then have to work hard. Hopefully, they learn the level of work and commitment required and adapt their habits to match. <br /><br />Hamilton is a prime example of a high risk, high reward prospect. Hopefully, it's the latter that wins out, but I agree that the road could be a long one. <br /><br />Thanks for the comment!<br /><br />Best,<br />LarkLark11https://www.blogger.com/profile/06571198327064220683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347536209014288641.post-64825190952861281652010-02-26T17:25:10.811-08:002010-02-26T17:25:10.811-08:00Guys,
To me what it comes down to is will Hamilto...Guys,<br /><br />To me what it comes down to is will Hamilton be willing to put in the work. If he is and he does and he gets proper coaching then I don't concern myself with his floor just yet. One thing that bodes well for my hope for him is that he didn't mind playing 3 sports, so he is a worker. I just hope folks realize this could get worse before it gets better for him considering how much he has to fix. But once he gets his ducks in a row he should advance rapidly with his athleticism leading the way. <br /><br />At this point next year I hope to see some positive advancements in his mechanics and approach. I just hope he doesn't give up on himself because this is likely to be long and tedious. Who knows he might have already given himself some kind of time frame where if it doesn't work right away he bails and tries to get back to college football or basketball.<br /><br />WillAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347536209014288641.post-75293599174407305912010-02-26T07:13:07.286-08:002010-02-26T07:13:07.286-08:00Smitty,
Man, did I go back and forth on Hamilton....Smitty,<br /><br />Man, did I go back and forth on Hamilton. He is really tough to rate. I have some real concerns about his bat. He's got a lot of work to do, but his ability to play plus defense at short is what convinced me of his value. If he only had the positional value of even a centerfielder, then he'd rank much lower on the list. <br /><br />So, I do share your concerns about his ability to develop his baseball specific skills, but his ceiling is high enough for me to value him highly. Still, he was a tough valuation and I'm not convinced I've got it right. His bat really needs work, but for now I'm buying into his upside.<br /><br />Thanks for the comment!!<br /><br />Best,<br />LarkLark11https://www.blogger.com/profile/06571198327064220683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347536209014288641.post-894266043188298352010-02-26T01:29:03.956-08:002010-02-26T01:29:03.956-08:00great post lark, as always.
Im not so high on ham...great post lark, as always. <br />Im not so high on hamilton as others. Yes he has high ceiling but his floor and his probability of reaching his ceiling are so low i have a hard time even seeing him as a real prospect.<br />Darnell mcdonald was a great athlete.<br />willy taveras could run fast. <br /><br />He still is young and is trying to learn to switch hit, so for now ill give him the benefit of the doubtsmittynoreply@blogger.com