Billy Hamilton provides the White Sox with a ton of value. He is considered one of the fastest players in the MLB. He can manufacture runs with his speed and is a constant threat on the base paths. Hamilton also has great range in the outfield and a strong arm. For a contending team he is a great player to have coming off the bench. However, hitting is not considered one of his strongest assets.

Hamilton Has A Career Night

Entering Wednesday nights game against Minnesota, Hamilton was on an 0-14 skid. That streak was snapped in the second inning. With the outfield playing in, he ripped a ball into the gap and sped around the bases for an RBI triple. It was his 37th career triple and first since April 24, 2019 when he hit one against Tampa Bay as a member of the Royals.

He was not done however. Hamilton followed that up his next at bat by lining a sinker into left field for a double. He then took third base the hard way by stealing his fourth bag of the year.  Hamilton is now a perfect 4-4 in stolen base attempts this season. Hamilton’s career night continued when he tacked on a pair of singles, capping off a 4-for-4 night with three runs scored. He was just a home run shy of the cycle.

Over the last ten games the only players on the White Sox with three plus hits in a game are Billy Hamilton and Dylan Cease. Go figure.

He manufactured runs by stealing bases and showcased his speed by charging home on a passed ball that most players have no business scoring on. Hamilton’s greatest weapon is his legs, but he can’t use them unless he gets on base. Wednesday night provided a glimpse of just how lethal Hamilton could be in the White Sox lineup.

“It’s tough to be not knowing when your going to play and stuff. This lineup is really really great. Whenever I get my chance to get in there, I want to do what I can to be the best at what I’m doing.” Hamilton said after the game.

Obviously fans can’t expect Hamilton to go 4-for-4 everynight but it is a positive first step for a player only hitting .250 on the season. With Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and Adam Engel sidelined with injuries fans are going to be seeing a lot more of Billy Hamilton whether they like it or not. Wednesday night’s performance should serve as a major confidence booster for the 30-year old speedster.

TA Helps Hamilton’s Approach

Hamilton entered the season with a new attitude at the plate thanks to his teammate Tim Anderson.

“I’ve been around TA, and the stuff he’s giving me, it’s been unbelievable,” Hamilton said back in April. “He’s one of those guys that, ‘Hey Billy, I don’t care what nobody says out there, you can hit.’ And by him telling me that every single day, that has been bringing me more confidence to actually not be afraid to hit with two strikes, draw a couple of walks, get on base and do what I got to do.”

He was signed by the White Sox during  the middle of Spring Training. When he entered the clubhouse he could feel the confidence the team exuded. That confidence is beginning to rub off on him.

“Just to listen to those guys and how confident they are, a couple of guys are down struggling a little bit, but you could never tell by their work ethic, their confidence,” Hamilton said.

“Stuff like that can help a guy who is not known for being as a hitter, that I am.”

His confidence is starting to show on the field and that is good news for the Chicago White Sox.