CINCINNATI — Billy Hamilton arrived in the big leagues with a reputation as a base stealer, while the rest of his skill-set remained largely unknown.
As the Cincinnati Reds center fielder put it, “It’s fun to be fast”.
But what came as a surprise to most was Hamilton’s rapid development in center field.
Hamilton’s inability to reach base consistently resulted in him losing his everyday leadoff role. But he’s been dazzling in the field. So much so, that some wonder if Hamilton is a future Gold Glove Award winner.
“I see Billy every day, so I get the benefit of seeing the great plays he makes and the ground he covers and his throwing arm and how quickly he gets to base hits,” said manager Bryan Price. “You get spoiled. I really have a hard time believing there’s anybody who covers more ground.”
In the third inning on Tuesday night, Hamilton nearly snared Randal Grichuk’s drive up against the center field wall which resulted in a triple for the Cardinals’ outfielder.
In the eighth, Hamilton made a sensational over-the-shoulder catch of Jayson Heyward’s bid for extra bases to preserve a one-run lead.
“The one that Grichuk hit … I’m trying to make that catch every time,” Hamilton said. “One of us making a big-time play for the guys gives them confidence.”
On Wednesday night, Hamilton repeated the feat by making a diving catch of Kolten Wong’s sinking liner to end the seventh, preserving a 3-2 lead, in a game the Reds ultimately lost 4-3 in 13 innings.
Hamilton, who most frequently bats ninth with the pitcher eighth, leads the major leagues with 51 stolen bases in 58 attempts. Through 95 games, he was hitting .225 with a .269 on-base percentage.
The 24-year old’s glove is proving to be just as valuable as his feet.