If you were Walt Jocketty, and given the way this team has nobody at the top of the order that can get on base consistently, and there is really nobody you can afford to trade for, would you bring up Billy the Kid, and see what he can do? I know he's only 21, and hasn't played about high A ball, but do you really have much to lose? Yeah, you would start his arbitration clock early, but are you really going to worry about that if the kid shows he can play at this level?

Hmmm we have no leadoff batter, we have Cairo hitting .135, if nothing else he brings 100 stolen bases when Rolen gets on with his second hit of the year:popcorn:

Id really like to see him move up to AA first even if its just for a week or two taste...Its not really a large enough sample size to show much but if he maintains his production there his confidence would be even higher going into his promotion to the Reds...Then again maybe if he can go 3-3 with 3 SBs against the top pitching in the futures game that would be enough for me...

 

It would also help if we knew he could play CF, then again Valdez has learned to do it so Im sure Billy can...

No. All we know is he can dominate A ball.

No. All we know is he can dominate A ball.

 

 

I realize Leake pitched in Spring Training, but they gave him a shot.

I realize Leake pitched in Spring Training, but they gave him a shot.

 

Correct. Spring Training. Hamilton has only faced A ball competition.

Correct. Spring Training. Hamilton has only faced A ball competition.

 

 

So if they brought him up, and he struggled, you think it would ruin him?

I think they will bring him up when they go to the 40 man roster, no real need to know.

I think they will bring him up when they go to the 40 man roster, no real need to know.

 

 

Well there certainly is a need for a player like Hamilton, but if he would be the answer right now is the question.

I would never jump a guy from A ball to the majors. If they even consider it I would think it would be after a month or two at AA.

So if they brought him up, and he struggled, you think it would ruin him?

 

Ruin him is too strong.

 

Who is the last A ball player to come to the bigs and have success?

Well there certainly is a need for a player like Hamilton, but if he would be the answer right now is the question.

 

There is a need for a leadoff guy who can get on base. We don't know if Hamilton can hit AA pitching.

There is a need for a leadoff guy who can get on base. We don't know if Hamilton can hit AA pitching.

 

Isn't that pretty much what I said?

Ruin him is too strong.

 

Who is the last A ball player to come to the bigs and have success?

 

 

That's a good question, and I'm sure there have been a few that have done it. I'll have to research that when I get time this evening.

Im actually not sure he is the type that would let bad numbers in the majors rattle him...The guy is extremely confidemt and a very hard worker...He learned to switch hit on the run against pro pitchers, was hitting below. 200 close to the halfway point last season and finished around. 270...He obviously wont duplicate his A+ numbers if he were in the bigs but I think he could at least give the Reds what Cozart has out of the leadoff spot minus the HRs but probably a little more due to his speed and patient approach...He has shown to be a guy that can adapt and learn on the run...I think with his speed alone with inf hits and bunt hits he could hit at least. 220 which is what Cozart is doing at leadoff and with his patience/leadoff mentality he would draw more walks and be an improvement over Cozarts .260 OBP...

 

He wouldnt be a super star at all but the experience wouldnt hurt his development or confidence at all and he would allow BP to move into the 2 Hole...Even if he only gives you the same as what Cozart has + More SBs at least the move would hopefully allow BP to hit second and Cozart to go down to 7th or 8th...Hamilton+BP>Cozart+Stubbs...

 

I love these quotes on Hamilton...

“I have played with or against guys like Ricky Henderson,Joe Morgan,Vince Coleman,Tim Raines,Andre Dawson, Lou Brock and saw Maury Wills,and I think Billy is in their class as far as his speed and quickness,” Griffey said. “Billy’s greatest attribute is his combination of speed and quickness,and some of those guys did not have both those attributes.”

 

“He makes teams change the way they play defense,” Griffey said. “He puts pressure on the whole defense. They have tried everything and have not found an answer.”

 

“I am a lot more confident at the plate this year,” Hamilton said.

 

At the break last year at Dayton,Ohio,Hamilton was batting only .190.

 

“I was learning to switch-hit and was not very patient at the plate,” he said. “I was not disciplined in my swinging and just needed to be more selective.

 

“If I can pull the pitcher’s attention or even the infielders’ attention away from the hitter,I think it helps making it easier on my guy at the plate. I know what I am capable of. People come to see me steal bases,and that’s what I do. My goal every game is to steal bases and score runs.”

 

“I am learning all I can no matter where I am playing,” Hamilton said. “I have learned from every coach I have ever played for since I began playing as a youth. This is my life-long dream to be a Major League Baseball player,and I am going to do the best I can to make that dream come true.”

 

“I have been with the Reds organization for 15 years,and I have seen lot of players,but I have never seen one as fast as Billy,” Lopriore said. “I saw him one night tag up and score from third base on an infield pop-up. He is something special.”