09/03/2026
On this date 2013: Billy Hamilton made his MLB debut as a pinch-runner and swiped 2nd base off Yadier Molina in the 7th inning. He would score what proved to be the winning run on a double by Todd Frazier.
What an incredibly exciting and at the same time frustrating player. He was a 2nd round pick out of HS in 2009, as a shortstop.
By 2013, he was the No. 20 prospect in baseball.
He was dynamic and game-changing. His triples were breathtaking. He'd score from 2nd on a sacrifice fly, or a wild pitch. His defense was eye-popping. Still hard to believe he never won a Gold Glove, despite being a finalist five times.
He became legendary as he climbed the minor league ladder.
103 SB in 135 games for Dayton in 2011.
155 SB n 132 games between A/AA, setting the all-time minor league record in 2012.
I remember seeing him live for the first time in 2012, when the Reds played a "Reds Futures' game at GABP before the season.
In his first four full MLB seasons, he stole 56-57-58-59 bases.
But his career BA was .239, OBP .293. If I had a dollar for everytime we said, 'you can't steal 1st base...or..."why doesn't he bunt more?"
He had 15 bunts in 2014, but only 48 in 3,285 plate appearances. He did have 39 infield hits in 2014 and 160 in his career (713 total hits).
He's played in the Mexican League the last three seasons. He played 28 games for Charros de Jalisco this season, before being released in late July. He appeared in six games at AAA for the Cubs last season. His last MLB appearance was three games with the White Sox in 2023. He's played for eight different MLB teams.
Billy turns 36 next Wednesday.
