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Posted

Billy Hamilton is a very impatient person.

"I do everything fast," Cincinnati's speedy outfielder said, not wasting a moment before launching into an answer. "You can tell I talk fast. I eat fast. I want to get everything done. I feel like I've got to be moving every time I'm doing something."

Only 13 steals into his big league career, the 23-year-old center fielder has run all the way to the top of the Reds order. Hamilton will be getting everything started for Cincinnati this season. He takes over for Shin-Soo Choo, who had one of the best seasons by a leadoff hitter last year and left as a free agent.

The Reds considered other options for the top spot, but none panned out. So Hamilton -- with only 13 major league games on his statistics sheet -- gets a chance to show he can do some record-setting things while covering the 90 feet that separates the bases in blink-of-an-eye times.

"It's like more of a dream come true, something I've really wanted," Hamilton said.

Back in Cincinnati, they're already wearing "Run Billy Run" shirts and waiting for the first time he reaches base and gets the entire ballpark on its feet and focused on his feet. Fans got a preview of what he can do during one blur of a month last season.

Hamilton got his first promotion to the majors in September. The Reds decided to use him as a pinch-runner late in games to try to steal a big run. He'd already led five minor leagues in stolen bases and set a professional record by swiping 155 bases in 2012 at Single-A and Double-A.

He quickly became a sensation, helping the Reds reach the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. He led the majors with 13 steals in September, getting caught only once. He was thrown out in his final attempt by Mets catcher Juan Centeno.

That month showed him he could outrun even the best catchers in the majors.

"That helped me out a lot," Hamilton said. "That gave me much confidence. It showed me what it would be like to be up there every day. So it gave me a little motivation to want to get to that level and stay there. My confidence this offseason has been great."

Last September, he started three games and went 7 for 14 with a pair of doubles and six steals. He swiped four bases in his first career start in Houston.

 

 

What everyone but Randy Parker already knew.

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Posted

I'm a huge Billy Hamilton fan. Him batting leadoff will be huge. I feel like Choo struck out a lot last year. If he has the same amount of strikeouts Choo had then this kid is going to be dangerous. All he has to do is put the ball in play and let his legs do the work. It's going to be a fun year

Posted

My question is: will they let him run or will they be afraid to take the bat out of Phillips, Votto, and Bruce's hands?? Or will they say it is distracting them at the plate?? If he leads off then please let him run!

Posted
My question is: will they let him run or will they be afraid to take the bat out of Phillips, Votto, and Bruce's hands?? Or will they say it is distracting them at the plate?? If he leads off then please let him run!

 

I bet he attempts to steal 50-75 percent of the time if he's successful enough

Posted
Have to remember we aren't in the Dusty era now. Who knows what the pitching coach turned manager will do.

 

As long as they dont sacrifice bunt 80 times again this year I will be thrilled.

Posted
Does anyone have any guesses as to how many bases he will steal this season?

 

80 if he can get on enough.But realistically 50-60

Posted
My question is: will they let him run or will they be afraid to take the bat out of Phillips, Votto, and Bruce's hands?? Or will they say it is distracting them at the plate?? If he leads off then please let him run!

 

If he's going to hit lead off, then he has to have the green light. His game is speed & stealing bases. If you're going to start him, you have to let him play his game. Just my opinion.

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