BALLER MOVE: Target as OF2
ANALYSIS: Billy Hamilton's 56 SB last year still were good for the second-most in the league (Dee Gordon, 64). However, Hamilton left a lot to be desired last year, with only 72 runs scored and a mediocre .250 batting average.
Understandably, Hamilton owners were driven crazy by his inconsistency, but he did show flashes of brilliance, and I expect him to mature in 2015. He must improve on his unimpressive 0.29 BB/K ratio and his 5.6% walk rate, and given his ability to beat out infield grounders, he should also be able to sustain a BABIP higher than the .304 mark he posted. Hamilton hit 37.3% of the balls he put in play in the air (FB%) last year, which is higher than league average. With his impressive 11.2% infield hit rate, expect him to concentrate on keeping the ball down and beating out grounders with his speed.
Since Hamilton didn’t meet his lofty expectations last year, his draft stock should be lower. At the right price or time in the draft, Hamilton will provide your squad with value in runs, average and stolen bases.
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