The Cincinnati Reds plan to call up outfielder Billy Hamilton from Triple-A on Monday, reports John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Hamilton, who moved from shortstop to center field this season, is known for his blazing speed and baserunning abilities. With rosters expanding on Sunday, the Reds, who currently hold the second Wild Card, are ready to see what he can do in a major-league trial.
Billy Hamilton to join Reds Monday
Cincinnati will call up its top prospect after rosters have expanded.
USA TODAY Sports
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Hamilton, who has played all season for the Louisville Bats of the International League, has struggled to get on base this year. The 22-year-old posted a .410 OBP between High-A and Double-A in 2012, but has seen that number dip to .308 in Triple-A. As a result, his prolificity on the basepaths has decreased as well -- he has stolen only 75 bases this year, less than half of the 155 he stole last year in a similar number of plate appearances. Still, his success rate is actually better than it was last year, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him utilized frequently as a pinch runner in Cincinnati.
The Reds currently boast an outfield including two-time All-Star Jay Bruce in right and leadoff hitter Shin-Soo Choo in center, but they have run through a host of underwhelming options in left field including Chris Heisey, Xavier Paul and Derrick Robinson. If manager Dusty Baker decides he wants to get Hamilton in the lineup at any point -- and his well-known love of speedsters suggests that he might -- then left field would be the most likely destination.
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