Hamilton Starts Strong
March 4, 2007 by Geoff Young
Filed under Personalities, Spring Training
Okay, it’s less than a week, but already some intriguing stories are shaping up in spring training. One of them is that of outfielder Josh Hamilton, the #1 overall pick in the 1999 draft. Selected by the Cincinnati Reds in this past winter’s Rule V draft from the Devil Rays, the 25-year-old Hamilton is making a strong impression on his new organization.
Hamilton, in case you missed it, was suspended as a minor-leaguer for all of 2004 and 2005 due to drug-related issues. In three games with his new club, he’s 6 for 12 with a homer. What do three exhibition games tell us? Not much, really, other than this is a story potentially worth following.
We’re talking about a kid who has played 15 professional games (none above A-ball) since 2004 trying to make a big-league club out of spring. If Hamilton somehow is able to pull it off, that would be quite an accomplishment. Stay tuned…
