Opinions on David Hamilton

[Turning2]

Wondering how you assess his value to the team. You can put a grade on it if you like, or just post your evaluation.

Personally, he has won me over during the course of the season. I'll admit, I had never heard of him when the BOS trade was announced. I figured he was just a wash, a swap out for Mona - another generic utility infielder with not much to offer. He's brought more value in that role, definitely an upgrade. I feel like something good can, will happen when he comes to the plate. And even though he has had a couple glaringly bad defensive miscues, the defense overall has been something you can win with. And they have been. He's more than "bunty". He's not a "bunt or beat it into the ground and run" one trick pony. He makes solid line drive contact often enough that I'm not surprised when it happens. And that speed messes with the other team. Even though there are others with similar speed, he receives a lot of reputational hype about it because it is such a big part of his toolbox. Wasn't long ago, I thought "man, we need a Tommy Edman level utility backup", I'd argue that box has been checked off by Arnold. 

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

As long as he is treated as a "Tommy Edman-level utility backup", I'm ok with him. But for much too long this season he was treated as the stronger half of the platoon with Ortiz, when Joey is the better defender and, at least for a good portion of the 2nd half, also the better hitter. They seem to have finally figured things out with his usage.

[adambr2]

It’s a shame he’s not a better defender or he’d be a better fit for this team. 

As it is, he still has value. The ideal split between him, Ortiz and Pratt if all are on the team next year is probably each playing about 2/3rds of the time — maybe Pratt closer to a 75-80% share of the pie. 

They all offer something different to where it’s hard for me to put a perfect grade on any. In Hamilton’s case, he’s a great jumpstarter to have at the bottom of your lineup to get on base and create disruption for the pitcher with the top of the order coming up. You definitely saw that at work last night. 

With no disrespect intended to Seigler or Mona, improving the bottom of the roster from guys like that to guys like David Hamilton has been one of the most meaningful improvements in our roster construction over the last year. 

[hoosier]

Good topic! I felt like Smoltz was playing Hamilton up a bit too much yesterday. Over the course of the season he obviously had his ups and downs, and he certainly has his limitations: no power at all, has some major holes in his swing and more than his share of bad ABs, can be erratic in the field. If he's getting on base, he is most definitely disruptive. If he's not, he doesn't bring anything that Ortiz cannot do better. Last night he was the perfect complement to the patience that guys like Bauers were bringing to the plate; it was the Bauers AB that broke Yamamoto and it was Hamilton who kept any of the Dodger relievers from settling into a comfortable rhythm. My grade for yesterday is a high A. For the season, more like a C+. 

[titanrick]

This feels a lot like asking me to grade the dot-com stocks in February of 2000.

He has value, and I certainly don't miss Mona or Siegler.  But I'm very happy we have more prospects coming up at IF positions for the next couple years.

[Turning2]

16 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

 

With no disrespect intended to Seigler or Mona, improving the bottom of the roster from guys like that to guys like David Hamilton has been one of the most meaningful improvements in our roster construction over the last year. 

100%. Its not hard to see the clear upgrade that is has been, at least for this year. 

[benji]

In my opinion he has no business being an MLB starter. He had a great game yesterday for sure. Despite his defensive metrics he blew plays defensively that allowed runs, he does not hit the ball hard and gets on base at .314.  His wRC+ is at 84.That is not good enough. 

[formerlybis]

He's carved out a niche that benefits this year's squad well. I was going to muse about his role long-term, but let's leave that to the offseason. He was a huge asset in game 2. Truth is, I want all our guys on the bench to see more action, but I don't want to take anybody out, either. Way to make the decisions tough, bench guys!

[formerlybis]

4 minutes ago, Turning2 said:

100%. Its not hard to see the clear upgrade that is has been, at least for this year. 

Well, if you look at Hamilton vs, Monasterio, there's an argument there (and I think you're underselling Monasterio a little), But we also have to look at Hamilton/Ortiz (and perhaps Rengifo) vs Durbin, Not as clearcut

[Turning2]

20 minutes ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

As long as he is treated as a "Tommy Edman-level utility backup", I'm ok with him. But for much too long this season he was treated as the stronger half of the platoon with Ortiz, when Joey is the better defender and, at least for a good portion of the 2nd half, also the better hitter. They seem to have finally figured things out with his usage.

Once Ortiz found his bat again, I was surprised how much of a platoon approach was utilized as well. But it has worked. Just shows that we don't have a true 3B whose production obligates Murphy to pencil one guy in every day. And Joey is tremendous in the field, obviously better than Hammy. But unless he's pounding 15-20 HRs, better OPS etc... the platoon made more sense because it's hard to trust Ortiz' bat even once it got hot. 

[long ball]

I think he's a solid bench player who complements our roster well, especially over the course of the regular season. He has 1 elite skill which always helps you stick around a big league roster. I wish his obp was a touch higher. He seems to have the skills needed to be a good defender but he's a little error prone.

 

In the playoffs, I wish our back up infielder had a little more thump, but that's a minor quibble. 

 

He's probably back on the roster next year in a similar role. 

[cragi]

I could see some of these guys increasing their value by being in the spotlight this postseason, and then get flipped for pitching or a catcher. We have too many guys waiting in the upper minors right now and need to make some room.

[owbc]

The Tommy Edman comparison is a good one. Tommy Edman has 20+ career WAR.

Hamilton will never approach that number but 1.8 bWAR in 387 PA is a pretty good season. 

 

[Tedaldtada]

I find Hamilton to be an exceptional defender personally. His overhead catch on that pop up during G2 of the Pads series was unreal. 

[Turning2]

3 minutes ago, Tedaldtada said:

I find Hamilton to be an exceptional defender personally. His overhead catch on that pop up during G2 of the Pads series was unreal. 

No other back up / platoon/ utility player in the league makes that play. It went largely overlooked I thought. 

[wntrtxn21]

Hamilton is a very good bench, utility guy. Capable of filling in when needed and a definite threat when he's on base. He's not a gold glove type at any position, but decent enough to get by when called upon. Playoff teams need his type of player. 

[Team Canada]

30 minutes ago, Tedaldtada said:

I find Hamilton to be an exceptional defender personally. His overhead catch on that pop up during G2 of the Pads series was unreal. 

He has made some individual very good plays that show his range. From a day-to-day perspective, Ortiz is way better.

[RobertCrawley]

He is a very good defender and he's fast. If he gets on first, he puts tremendous pressure on the other team, and it often means he turns a  walk or a single into a player in scoring position. 

[Turning2]

The question for me becomes, what utility / back up player in the league is better or as good? I don't know all the bench / back up players from around the league, but offhand I can't think of any that are head and shoulders better for that role. 

[Brewers Downunder]

I'd say he's underrated. Gotta love the players that fly under the radar somewhat.

[formerlybis]

All this commentary and only one post with the letters b-u-n-t in it, and it came in the first one. Everyone's dancing around it - say it - he's one of the better bunters (at least one of the more practiced ones, anyway).

[cragi]

Just now, Turning2 said:

The question for me becomes, what utility / back up player in the league is better or as good? I don't know all the bench / back up players from around the league, but offhand I can't think of any that are head and shoulders better for that role. 

It probably comes down to how much trade value they can get for Hamilton and how they see the value of Jett Williams. Williams can play a number of defensive positions and then you get a longer timeline of cheap talent to work with. 

[Jopal78]

Only Frelick and Lara had a lower OBP.

If Hamilton could get on base at a .330 clip, with all the other things he does, he’d play for a decade in the majors

[torts]

A+, knows how to get his body in the way of freddie

[MrTPlush]

Meh. Speed is cool and his defense is fine…but a guy entering arbitration? The allure quickly dwindles. 
 

Works decent on this team, but I doubt I ever care if they move on from him for someone else.