Fansided

Reds to call up speedster Billy Hamilton on Monday

By Brad Rowland

Jul 21, 2013; Scranton, PA, USA; Louisville Bats Billy Hamilton (6) runs the bases during the seventh inning against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field. The Bats defeated the RailRiders 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2013; Scranton, PA, USA; Louisville Bats Billy Hamilton (6) runs the bases during the seventh inning against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field. The Bats defeated the RailRiders 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 21, 2013; Scranton, PA, USA; Louisville Bats Billy Hamilton (6) runs the bases during the seventh inning against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field. The Bats defeated the RailRiders 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2013; Scranton, PA, USA; Louisville Bats Billy Hamilton (6) runs the bases during the seventh inning against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field. The Bats defeated the RailRiders 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Cincinnati Reds prospect Billy Hamilton has an elite skill that very few in today’s MLB possess, and it appears that he’ll be called upon to showcase that trait in the very near future.

John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting that the Reds have elected to call up the ultra-speedy Hamilton to the Majors beginning on Monday as part of September’s roster expansion. Frankly, this news isn’t terribly surprising as Hamilton is the perfect role player for a team in desperate need of wins in September, but this is the first confirmed report of Hamilton’s promotion.

In 149 games during the 2012 season (across three levels), Billy Hamilton stole 165 bases. Yes, 165 stolen bases in 149 games. This year, Hamilton hasn’t been quite as prolific on the base paths, but his 75 steals in 122 games represent a crazy output if translated to the Majors.

Of course, there is a catch with Hamilton, and that comes in the form of a less-than-advanced bat. Hamilton has just a .308 OBP at triple-A this year, and frankly, that is unacceptable when you consider the level and his speed. The bat may come, but for now, I’d expect Dusty Baker to utilize Hamilton in a pure pinch-hitting role with the big league club.

Either way, watching Billy Hamilton run the bases is worth the price of admission.

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