The Hamilton Saga -- The Hardball Times
Though he's on the DL with GI issues right now, this is a great peice figuring out whether or not he can do it for the season.
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It's easily the most impressive line of any rookie hitter so far this season. Hamilton seems to be a guy who hits a lot of line drives, walks at a good clip, and possesses excellent power. Furthermore, he may have been a bit unlucky! JC Bradbury's PrOPS indicates that his OPS should be almost 100 points higher than it actually is. Hamilton's spectacular line drive percentage predicts an BABIP of ~.350, yet he currently has a below-average BABIP of .274. If we do a thought exercise and add three singles to his record to push his BABIP up to .310, his line would improve to a superb .293/.366/.560, with a .393 wOBA. Not bad for a guy who hadn't played more than a few games above A-ball prior to this season.
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so can he keep it up?
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the blend of on-base ability, power, speed, and defensive skills that he has displayed thus far is remarkably similar to what scouts were projecting that he would produce when he was drafted first overall over a half-decade ago, indicating that this might all be real. If Hamilton can continue to stay sober, and continue to adapt as the league learns about his skills, he has a chance to be an outstanding player for many years to come.
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Every single team in baseball could have had Hamilton starting in their OF for just a cash transaction. That's all the Cubs got in the RuleV trade - cash. For a lefthanded hitter that can play ANY OF position, and well.
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I'm sorry I left for a while. I needed a vaction, and then work changed substantially. I'm over 50 hour weeks, plus two hours a day of commuting time.
A few weeks ago I launched my own
blog about Seattle Sounders FC and Life in Puget Sound. I won't be by these parts often as my focus has changed. Sorry about the unannounced retirement.