by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/30/2013) Coming into spring training, the main reason top prospect Billy Hamilton didn't have a shot at making the major-league roster was because the Reds went out and acquired Shin-So Choo in the offseason, leaving no openings in their outfield. Since then, they've lost starting left fielder Ryan Ludwick and his replacement, Chris Heisey, to injury. So wheeeeere's Billy?
Stuck at Triple-A, unfortunately. He picked the worst possible time to go into an offensive funk, batting .205 in 88 at-bats. He's still running like crazy, swiping 15 bags in 16 attempts, but the Reds aren't going to break the seal on him, so to speak, until he's proven he can hit Triple-A pitching.
Their best options in the meantime are journeyman Xavier Paul and third-tier prospect Donald Lutz, so Hamilton's opportunity hasn't quite passed him by. He'll need to get hot soon to make the most of it, though.
Billy Hamilton having not-so-hot start
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Reds outfield prospect Billy Hamilton's stat line for Triple-A Louisville is nothing to smile at through the first few weeks. The highly touted prospect is mired in a 6-for-37 slump in his last 10 games through Tuesday, dropping his season average to .221 through 18 games.
Hamilton also has a disappointing .293 on-base percentage. He has no home runs, two doubles, two triples, four RBI and six runs. He has managed 13 stolen bases, but it's certainly off his pace from last season, when he compiled 155 stolen bases in 132 games.
Billy Hamilton has four-game SB streak in Triple-A
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Reds center field prospect Billy Hamilton stole a base for the fourth consecutive game Saturday for Triple-A Louisville, giving him 11 steals on the season, tops among Triple-A players.
But Hamilton continues to struggle at the plate, hitting .224 after a 1-for-3 game that also included a walk, run and RBI.
Billy Hamilton clears up injury worry
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/15/2013) After being removed from a game earlier this month, Reds outfield prospect Billy Hamilton created a minor stir throughout the organization with a possible leg injury. However, Hamilton missed only one game after citing cramping was the culprit for his early departure April 5 and has not been affected by the issue since.
"I had a new knee brace, and when I slid it cut off my circulation in my calf. I dove back into the base and it kind of locked up on me. That's all it was," Hamilton told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "It was more of a scare than anything."
Billy Hamilton struggling at plate in Triple-A
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/12/2013) Reds center field prospect Billy Hamilton is struggling at the plate at Trple-A Louisville, picking up just one hit in his last 15 at-bats over four games while striking out four times and walking twice. To his credit, the speedy Hamilton has two three-steal games on his resume and a .290/.333/.419 line overall.
No injury concern for Billy Hamilton
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013) Reds outfield prospect Billy Hamilton returned to the lineup for Triple-A Louisville Sunday after dealing with a cramping issue that forced him to leave last Friday's game. Hamilton, ranked as the team's top prospect by MLB.com, has collected two doubles among his three hits and three steals in his first two games of the young season.
Cramping issue slows Billy Hamilton
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/6/2013) Cincinnati Reds top prospect Billy Hamilton left Friday's Triple-A game with an apparent cramping issue and is considered day to day, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. Hamilton, who plays center field, tallied his first three stolen bases of the season before departing and could return to the lineup as early as Saturday.
"If it was a cramp, he’ll play," Louisville manager Jim Riggleman said. "If it’s more than cramps, he won’t."
Billy Hamilton leaves minor-league game early
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/5/2013) Reds infield prospect Billy Hamilton was midway through another classic performance Friday for Triple-A Louisville, swiping three bags, including home.
Unfortunately for Hamilton, he was forced to leave the game after injuring his shoulder on a pickoff attempt. The team has yet to give an official report on his status. Hamilton was playing in just his second game of the season.
Hamilton entered the season as Baseball America's No. 20 overall prospect. He is working in the outfield to better his chances of making the big-league club during the season.
Billy Hamilton a better stash than Ryan Ludwick
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/3/2013) Turns out Ryan Ludwick damaged cartilage when he dislocated his right shoulder on a slide Monday and the Reds have to survive the next three months without him.
I wonder what they could do about that.
Remember how, before they acquired Shin-Soo Choo, prospect Billy Hamilton -- he of the record 155 steals last year -- looked like he might have a shot to compete with Drew Stubbs for a starting job in spring training? Well, because the Reds acquired Choo, Hamilton wasn't competing for anything and, therefore, didn't stick around long enough to make an impression.
But he's already proven his worth at Double-A, having compiled a .406 on-base percentage in 175 at-bats there last year, and Choo isn't the most natural fit in either center field or the leadoff spot. Hmm, I wonder.
No, the Reds aren't going to Hamilton yet, but given what we know about Chris Heisey, he likely won't hold up as an everyday player. Provided Hamilton gets off to a good start both offensively and defensively, I say the Reds make the switch in less than three months' time.
Billy Hamilton steals fourth base of spring
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (3/30/2013) Reds center field prospect Billy Hamilton batted leadoff for the Reds in their final Cactus League game Saturday, going 1 for 3 with his fourth stolen base of the spring. The speedster had just five hits in 26 at-bats with the Reds, but two of them were triples.
Hamilton will likely begin the season at Double-A Pensacola, where he hit .280/.401/.377 in 213 plate appearances as part of his record-setting 155-steal season.
Billy Hamilton sent to minors camp
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (3/19/2013) The Reds re-assigned outfielder Billy Hamilton and pitcher Drew Hayes to minor-league camp Tuesday.
Hamilton, who stole a record 155 bases in the minors last season, batted .174 (4 for 23) with three steals and four runs scored in 12 Cactus League games.
Billy Hamilton back in action
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (3/16/2013) Reds prospect Billy Hamilton returned to the lineup for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Giants after dealing with a bruised hamstring over the past week or so.
He went 1 for 2 with a run scored in the 7-6 win. Hamilton tripled in his first at-bat.
Hamilton, who stole a record 155 stolen bases in the minors last season, has gone just 3 for 20 (.150) with three stolen bases and three runs scored through 10 spring games.
Billy Hamilton racing back to work
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/15/2013) Reds outfield prospect Billy Hamilton said he expects to return to Cactus League action on Saturday after missing time with a mild left-hamstring strain, MLB.com reports. The speedy Hamilton, viewed as the top prospect in the Cincinnati organization and 11th-best overall by MLB.com, suffered the minor injury while stealing a base last week. "I’m all right," he said Friday. "There’s nothing wrong with it." The 22-year-old is hitting .111 with eight strikeouts in 11 games this season and is not projected to crack the opening-day roster.
Reds cautious with Hamilton
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/13/2013) The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Reds prospect Billy Hamilton is sidelined with a hamstring injury. "He’s not ready,” Dusty Baker said. “For a guy who depends on his legs, you don’t want it to linger.” The paper reports Hamilton's injury is a bruise and he's expected to perform all baseball activities Wednesday.
Hamilton makes quick impression
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/25/2013) While he is highly regarded for his offensive prowess, especially his blazing speed, Reds prospect Billy Hamilton has earned praise for his work in the outfield during the early part of camp. Hamilton, considered the No. 11 overall prospect in the minors by MLB.com, is shifting to center field from shortstop this spring. "He’s looked good," manager Dusty Baker told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I’m pleasantly surprised at the routes he’s taken in the short period of the time I’ve seen him. But he’s been working hard with (Billy Hatcher), Eric Davis and Darren Bragg. It helps to be around good outfielders."
Reds patient with Hamilton
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/14/2013) MLB.com reports Reds manager Dusty Baker said he's eager to work with prospect Billy Hamilton in major-league camp this spring. Baker also said while Reds fans will be eager to see Hamilton, who stole a pro record 155 bases in the minors last year, called up for his MLB debut, the team is preaching patience, especially since Hamilton changed positions this offseason from shortstop to center field. "If you're playing winning baseball, there are things you have to do other than just stealing," Baker said. "Switch-hitting is new for him, playing a new position is new for him. There are things that you have to do and in order to do them, you have to play to get better at it. You've got an honors student, but he's a freshman, are you going to graduate him right away? I've seen speed before. We're all amazed by speed. You have to learn how to harness that speed."
Hamilton to start year in Triple-A
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (1/24/2013) Reds GM Walt Jocketty told the Cincinnati Enquirer that Billy Hamilton, the team's top prospect who stole a record 155 bases last year, will probably spend most, if not all, of 2013 in Triple-A. “He’ll be playing center field and working on his offense and his overall game,” Jocketty said. “He’s going to probably end up bunting a lot, with his speed. Bunting and running are his two key tools.”
Hamilton gets call to majors camp
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (1/14/2013) The Reds announced Monday outfield prospect Billy Hamilton has been invited to major league spring training as a non-roster invitee. Hamilton is considered the Reds' top prospect by Baseball America and MLB.com.
