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Josh Hamilton.....he NEEDS playing time. (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter eoMMan
- Start date
jafo
Out of Mind
Limp Ditka
Footballguy
XHe'll continue to get playing time as long as he is hot. Count on that.
You forget that Jerry Narron is his manager.
Freel would go on 7-10, 2 game runs the last couple of years and find himself on the bench the next day and at times it had nothing to do with whether they were facing a LHP or RHP that day.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I agree with LD, although Narron has already said he's looking for a way to keep him in the lineup as long as he's contributing.
You'd think he'll go through a period soon where the pitching catches up to him as most newbies do. Still, he's shown some serious plate discipline and has been hitting the ball solidly to all fields. Hamilton has been one of those guys who people rave about as a hitting phenom from his earliest days. No reason he can't be here to stay.
You'd think he'll go through a period soon where the pitching catches up to him as most newbies do. Still, he's shown some serious plate discipline and has been hitting the ball solidly to all fields. Hamilton has been one of those guys who people rave about as a hitting phenom from his earliest days. No reason he can't be here to stay.
fasteddie_21
2006 NM Poker Champ
The absolute most impressive thing I've seen from the kid is his approach at the plate. Yes, he K'd twice today, but still...
He has an unnatural good-eye at the dish and knows what pitches to look for. All the more amazing since he's been out of baseball for 4 years....
Bronson Arroyo, Brandon Phillips (enough Willie Mays Hayes though...hit the damn ball on the ground!), and Josh Hamilton...pretty good pickups by WayneK!
He has an unnatural good-eye at the dish and knows what pitches to look for. All the more amazing since he's been out of baseball for 4 years....
Bronson Arroyo, Brandon Phillips (enough Willie Mays Hayes though...hit the damn ball on the ground!), and Josh Hamilton...pretty good pickups by WayneK!
Capella
Footballguy
I know this isn't the popular thing to say, but he needs more PT...down in AAA. I don't care how good his start is, logically it is not sustainable for a guy with less than 100 ABs in the minors (especially in only low-A) over the past four years to continue to hit at the major league level.
But they can't send him down, so if they're interested at all in him as a long-term propspect they almost HAVE to get him at-bats at the major-league level.
But they can't send him down, so if they're interested at all in him as a long-term propspect they almost HAVE to get him at-bats at the major-league level.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
Screw minor league ABs. We're talking about The Natural II here.
fasteddie_21
2006 NM Poker Champ
Seriously, how can you say that? What has he shown that warrants him going to AAA? He has looked quite good at the dish all thru March and April, both in patience and hitting to all fields. His defense is stellar.Not being confrontational, just curious what you see. If he was lost at the plate ala Wily Mo Pena circa 2005, sure, I'd be on board there. But seriously, the kid has wonderful plate disciplne and an incredibly quick bat.Learn me....
Capella
Footballguy
I've seen that he has exactly 9 major-league at bats so far, which isn't enough to tell me anything. Don't bother with spring training, it's useless.Not too many people can make the jump from less than 100 at-bats at the lowest of the minor leagues to playing well at the MLB level. Maybe he's having an ok start, but I don't see how you could possibly argue that a year down at AAA would not be beneficial for him.
Before this March, he had less than 60 professional at-bats since 2002.
Read that twice. It's a great story, but I'll be shocked if he can keep it up. At some point MLB pitchers will lock him up and he doesn't have the experience to draw on to get out of it right away.
Nothing can be done anyways. They can't send him down due to the rule 5 law, so he's going to stay. I just think it will stunt him even more.
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Capella
Footballguy
lol
Your Mother
Footballguy
Capella speaks a lot of truth here. That said, it's not like he was a marginal minor league prospect who started crushing everything all of a sudden. He mashed in ST, and he was a tremendous talent before he wrecked himself, so the potential is there.
Why not move Phillips back to SS, Freel back to 2B, and start Hamilton in CF full-time? I'm not familiar enough with the Reds to say how this would impact them defensively, but it'd get their best bats in the lineup. I'll comfortably say that Hamilton will have a better year than whichever Alex Gonzalez the Reds have.
Why not move Phillips back to SS, Freel back to 2B, and start Hamilton in CF full-time? I'm not familiar enough with the Reds to say how this would impact them defensively, but it'd get their best bats in the lineup. I'll comfortably say that Hamilton will have a better year than whichever Alex Gonzalez the Reds have.
PizzaDeliveryGuy
extra sausage
I smell a bet.
fasteddie_21
2006 NM Poker Champ
Alex Gonzalez is arguably the best defensive SS in MLB. Offensively, he tends to be a black hole, but Wayne K got him for his defense and it makes the pitching staff better. Right now, though, his 6 month old son is in the hospital in critical condition, so AGon is on bereavement leave. While he's gone, that's the best idea, moving BP to SS, but it won't happen. Instead, we're stuck with Manos de Oro (Juan Castro) at SS...ugh. C'est la vie.As for Josh Hamilton, you're right Cappy. He has very little experience, and all of it was 4 years ago in Single A. I'm fully aware of that. Also, I know that it's a long, long season. He will have his struggles, no doubt.But I will say that his defense keeps him playing and by 2009, provided he stays on the wagon, he will be an all-star. His God given abilities are just that good. We shall see....
Brock Middlebrook
Footballguy
They should put him in the OF and move Dunn back to 1B where he'd be less of a defensive liability.
Caesar
Footballguy
jeez I am tired of people thinking this is a good idea. He doesn't want to be there. The Reds don't want him there. Dunn will never move to first base.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
Wow you sound bitter about TB losing him.
Capella
Footballguy
bitter? they have crawford, rocco, delmon young and elijah dukes in the OF, so they're certainly not hurting there. also, they spent 7 years with this guy and he did nothing but cause problems.don't confuse reality with bitterness.
Statorama
Footballguy
Sure, let's put an emotionally fragile former addict into a pressure situation. You put the pressure on this kid, with so little minor league experience to draw from, and you're looking at a Jimmy Piersall type trainwreck in the making. Ease the kid in. Let him have some success. Put him in positions to succeed and let him build some confidence.
Well, that or you could be selfish, start him every game and watch him get destroyed right in front of your eyes after he hits an 0 for 15 skid.
Well, that or you could be selfish, start him every game and watch him get destroyed right in front of your eyes after he hits an 0 for 15 skid.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
He's started like 3 of the Reds' 12 games. Relax.
Frenchy Fuqua
Footballguy
fasteddie_21
2006 NM Poker Champ
Josh w/ a .400 OBP...just sayin...
Capella
Footballguy
16 at-bats...just sayin...
Notorious T.R.E.
Showdown!™ Administrator
Capella
Footballguy
16 at-bats...just sayin...
that's never been in doubt.
Notorious T.R.E.
Showdown!™ Administrator
Well, when he was on teh crack it was...that's never been in doubt.
Notorious T.R.E.
Showdown!™ Administrator
Side question (mostly for Capella):
If the Reds approached TB offering to trade something for Hamilton so they could have his full rights and then play him in AAA. What would it take?
If the Reds approached TB offering to trade something for Hamilton so they could have his full rights and then play him in AAA. What would it take?
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
Yes.
Notorious T.R.E.
Showdown!™ Administrator
There was some talk that Cincy would try to do that before the regular season started so they could send Hamilton to AAA. Now that they've shown that they are willing roster him for the full year if necessary, I would think the price to pull this deal off would be minimal. If I'm Cincy, I do this asap so that if Hamilton falls off, you can send him down and keep getting him ABs. For Tampa, it would seem like getting something for nothing at this point, so you'd think a low level prospect would do it.
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Capella
Footballguy
Hmm... Did not know that.I assume the price would be low since Cincy is in the power of position now, but I don't really know.My only regret with Hamilton is that the Rays got nothing back for him, but I guess that's his fault moreso than theirs.Maybe it just offsets that Kazmir trade.There was some talk that Cincy would try to do that before the regular season started so they could send Hamilton to AAA. Now that they've shown that they are willing roster him for the full year if necessary, I would think the price to pull this deal off would be minimal. If I'm Cincy, I do this asap so that if Hamilton falls off, you can send him down and keep getting him ABs. For Tampa, it would seem like getting something for nothing at this point, so you'd think a low level prospect would do it.
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Knightro
Footballguy
Yep, the Rays clearly don't have the room to take him back but they could make some room if they had to. I'd be more than happy for anything we could use in the bullpen to replace Ruddy Luggy and Shawn Camp
fasteddie_21
2006 NM Poker Champ
Actually, he'd have to pass thru waivers first before a trade could be agreed upon....
Notorious T.R.E.
Showdown!™ Administrator
I wouldn't expect that Cincy would be willing to give away any MLB ready talent. I was thinking more like a medium/low grade A-ball type prospect.I would also assume that Cincy approached TB before the season started to see what it would take and they didn't like the asking price. However, now would be the time to go back since you've proven that you'll keep Hamilton in the MLB if need be. Something for "nothing" for the Rays at this point, in return for added flexibility with Hamilton for Cincy.
Smack Tripper
Footballguy
3rd bomb tonight, I think he's gotta get some more looks. You could either:
-Move Dunn to first, Hattenberg/Conine combo to the bench
-Move Hobbsilton to center, Freel to the bench
or
-Move him to center, Freel to 2nd or 3rd, Double E or Phillips to the bench.
I think I like Dunn at first best, but I'm not exactly Mr. Red Machine Daddy.
-Move Dunn to first, Hattenberg/Conine combo to the bench
-Move Hobbsilton to center, Freel to the bench
or
-Move him to center, Freel to 2nd or 3rd, Double E or Phillips to the bench.
I think I like Dunn at first best, but I'm not exactly Mr. Red Machine Daddy.
Frenchy Fuqua
Footballguy
The newly signed Ryan Freel is willing to give up his starting gig to get Hamilton in the lineup.
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news...t=.jsp&c_id=cin
CINCINNATI -- You won't hear something like this every day from a ballplayer.
The ink had barely dried on Ryan Freel's new, two-year, $7 million contract extension on Monday, and he was already discussing his willingness to give up his everyday spot in center field to Josh Hamilton.
"I think this kid is something special," Freel said. "With the addition of him on this team, I might be working a little more in the infield, which I don't have a problem with. I just know that kid helps us win. He's an unbelievable player."
Hamilton, the former overall No. 1 draft pick in 1999 by Tampa Bay with a well-chronicled off-the-field past, has been a national sensation since making the Reds out of Spring Training as a Rule 5 Draft selection.
With Hamilton as the fourth outfielder behind Freel, Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn, manager Jerry Narron has been challenged to find the rookie starts and at-bats. Narron has had Freel, a utility player that can play five positions, taking ground balls at second and third base the past few days.
"I know you have to have a guy like that in the lineup," Freel said of Hamilton. "He's one of the better athletes I've seen. Sky's the limit for him. I will put myself aside any day, any time in order for us to win a championship. Regardless of where he's been and what's he done or only playing this much, he's the type of guy that can step in and play every day. And he's the type of guy that will put up good numbers if you stick with him. I don't have any problem with that ... especially now."
Hamilton was not in Monday's lineup vs. the Brewers, but he started four of the previous five games. The 25-year-old, who hit a home run in each of his first two starts, has plenty of respect for Freel and his selflessness.
"That speaks for itself," Hamilton said. "Me and Ryan have a good relationship. We get along, not just in baseball but off-the-field things. We have a lot of stuff in common. I'm the same way he is. If he plays, I'm rooting for him. If I play, he's rooting for me."
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news...t=.jsp&c_id=cin
CINCINNATI -- You won't hear something like this every day from a ballplayer.
The ink had barely dried on Ryan Freel's new, two-year, $7 million contract extension on Monday, and he was already discussing his willingness to give up his everyday spot in center field to Josh Hamilton.
"I think this kid is something special," Freel said. "With the addition of him on this team, I might be working a little more in the infield, which I don't have a problem with. I just know that kid helps us win. He's an unbelievable player."
Hamilton, the former overall No. 1 draft pick in 1999 by Tampa Bay with a well-chronicled off-the-field past, has been a national sensation since making the Reds out of Spring Training as a Rule 5 Draft selection.
With Hamilton as the fourth outfielder behind Freel, Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn, manager Jerry Narron has been challenged to find the rookie starts and at-bats. Narron has had Freel, a utility player that can play five positions, taking ground balls at second and third base the past few days.
"I know you have to have a guy like that in the lineup," Freel said of Hamilton. "He's one of the better athletes I've seen. Sky's the limit for him. I will put myself aside any day, any time in order for us to win a championship. Regardless of where he's been and what's he done or only playing this much, he's the type of guy that can step in and play every day. And he's the type of guy that will put up good numbers if you stick with him. I don't have any problem with that ... especially now."
Hamilton was not in Monday's lineup vs. the Brewers, but he started four of the previous five games. The 25-year-old, who hit a home run in each of his first two starts, has plenty of respect for Freel and his selflessness.
"That speaks for itself," Hamilton said. "Me and Ryan have a good relationship. We get along, not just in baseball but off-the-field things. We have a lot of stuff in common. I'm the same way he is. If he plays, I'm rooting for him. If I play, he's rooting for me."
fasteddie_21
2006 NM Poker Champ
First off, for the last time, Dunn to 1B will not happen. LET IT DIE!That being said, I think Freel becomes super-sub again and CF is Hamilton's. Freel will/should start 4-5 days a week, sub'ing for Jr, EdE, and BP. That being said, the kid is just truly awe-inspiring.
If you haven't followed, Conine is currently the best hitter on the team vs LHP. The platoon of he and Hatt is suitable until next season when Votto steps up with the big team.
On a side note, Votto has been near ice-cold thus far, but he damn near won the triple crown last year with a similar April....
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NY/NJMFDIVER
Footballguy
'Why would Dunn not go to first? Is he a butcher? He's never looked impressive in the outfield to me, as far as going after balls, but I see him maybe 10, 12 games a year. I can't see his future being in the outfield.
Fear & Loathing
Footballguy
It's not an option this year, but with Dunn's size, weight and defensive ability it's going to have to be an option down the road. Throughout baseball history, players of Dunn's size haven't played more than a few years of outfield before moving to first base. Once in a generation phenomenal athletes like Dave Winfield can pull it off. And Strawberry was able to stay in the outfield at 6'6", but he was far from Dunn's weight.Reasons for Dunn not going to first base right now:
1. He's worse at 1B than he is in left field.
2. He's been fairly adamant about not wanting to move to 1B full time and is clearly not comfortable playing there.
3. The current Reds brass believes the defense takes too much of hit having Dunn at 1B.
4. Right or wrong, they like the reliability that the Hatteberg/Conine veteran platoon offers in the middle of the lineup.
5. Joey Votto
The most likely scenario is that Hamilton will keep starting 2-3 times a week, spelling an outfielder here and there while Freel spells an infielder here and there. That is, until somebody gets injured -- likely Griffey or Freel -- and then Hamilton plays full time.
There's no denying his special talent, but perspective says it's still just 20 at bats.
Caesar
Footballguy
Took a chance. Started him in two baseball leagues.. 1 HR and he has already outscored half my team.
Notorious T.R.E.
Showdown!™ Administrator
Are you sure about this?
Notorious T.R.E.
Showdown!™ Administrator
Looks like FE was right, now to find where I read about the trade talk during spring...Are you sure about this?
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
That's only if the Reds would attempt to return him to Tampa would he go on waivers first. I'm pretty sure the Reds could trade something to Tampa to have all rights to him.Notorious T.R.E. said:Looks like FE was right, now to find where I read about the trade talk during spring...Notorious T.R.E. said:Are you sure about this?
