Billy Hamilton is off to an electric start, hitting .396/.484/.660 with 8 walks and 11 strikeouts to go with 12 steals (and 4 CS). It hasn’t gone unnoticed by the national media either. Hamilton is on top of the Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet today.
The Scoop: No one has ever questioned Hamilton’s ability to run and steal bases, but the young shortstop has heard plenty of questions about how much he’s going to hit. Last year he struggled to get his average over the Mendoza line early in the year, and it took a strong finish for Hamilton to bat .278/.340/.360. But at the end of the season, Midwest League observers explained that Hamilton’s off-the-charts athleticism meant that he could make dramatic improvement that the average player could only dream of.
There is also a question answered on Hamilton in the chat that is still ongoing.
Jonathan Mayo also has Hamilton as his Prospect Watch Player of the Week.
With his hot start, I have gotten a bunch of questions on twitter and email about how fast Hamilton can be ready. I still think he is a guy who is at least two years away. I am loving the plate discipline he is showing so far in Bakersfield. I still don’t think he is a guy who can move up quickly. Things that I saw from him last year were still present at the Future game the first week of April. He still lunges toward the ball in his swing and finds himself off balance at the plate. Whether it is because he was fooled on the pitch or just a part of his mechanics that need more time to get rid of (because he doesn’t always do it), I am not sure. But it does happen and it is something that is going to take time to correct. He isn’t the player who is likely to jump multiple levels in a season and to be fair, he also has some pretty good prospects directly ahead of him as well that means he will be given plenty of time to work on and improve his game at the minor league level.
John Sickels likes what JJ Hoover has been doing thus far and thinks he is ready to help the Reds bullpen whenever they need someone.
Cincinnati Reds prospect J.J. Hoover gave up two unearned runs in relief last night for Triple-A Louisville, but overall he’s been excellent so far, with a 2.45 ERA, a 15/3 K/BB in just seven innings of work, three hits allowed, and four saves. I think he’s ready to reinforce the Reds bullpen whenever needed.
Last night Didi Gregorius was hit by a pitch in the arm. He was ultimately pinch-hit for later in the game. Could be nothing, but could be something to keep an eye on.
Last night was not a good night for the defense in the system. The four minor league teams combined for 14 errors, though 11 came from Dayton and Bakersfield.
Don’t forget to that you can watch the Dayton Dragons game tonight online, for free. Former minor leaguer Matt Klinker will be in the broadcast booth for the tv side of things.