Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Billy Hamilton’s Chances To Make The Roster Just Significantly Increased

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Once the White Sox non-tendered Adam Engel, the fourth outfielder spot was up for grabs. Engel was a good fit in this role for a couple of years, but injuries and a tough 2022 played into the decision to search for someone else. Billy Hamilton is one of the players the front office targeted to fill the vacancy left by Engel. This opportunity will not come without competition for Hamilton, as the White Sox also signed journeymen outfielder Jake Marisnick and ex-Detroit Tiger, Victor Reyes. With the news that Victor Reyes was optioned down to minor league camp, it leaves only Marisnick and Hamilton as the men for the job.

Billy The Hitter Is Back

White Sox fans were absolutely hyped to find out that the Sox brought back Billy Hamilton on a minor league deal with an invitation to camp. In 2021, Billy was an absolute fan favorite that injected energy into the club anytime he was on the field, even when he was just in the dugout cheering his teammates on. Now, he has a chance to regain that spot on the roster and inject energy into a team that looked lifeless in 2022. 

Billy Hamilton has wowed fans with catches like this:

His defense and baserunning acumen will benefit the White Sox immensely, as that is one of the areas they lacked last year without him. Despite his deficiencies with the bat, he earned the nickname “Billy the Hitter” when he was with the Sox in 2021. This was given to him by Tim Anderson, as he was trying to encourage Hamilton to be known for more than just his blazing speed and his top-flight defense. With Hamilton, any production you get out of him with the bat is a plus. Billy is still a threat to steal a base anytime he gets on, as he has put his speed on display this spring with three stolen bases. With the new disengagement rules and the bigger bases, those will only benefit him more.  

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Jake Marisnick Is Still A Very Solid Player

As for Jake Marisnick, he is still having a decent spring and could still beat out Billy for the job. While his hitting has left much to be desired this spring, hitting only .185 with no home runs, his career major league numbers are much better than that. He figures to give you more with the bat than Hamilton does, as he has the potential to give you 10-15 home runs a year. At this point in his career, like Hamilton, he is regulated to the fourth outfield position that gives you good defense and speed. While he is not nearly as fast as Hamilton, he had a season in which he stole 24 bases. 

Marisnick is still a very solid player, but if it were up to the fans, Billy would be the choice. Ever since he left the team fans were wanting him back to provide a big boost of energy. While that is not why a player should make a team, for a team that lacked energy last season, it would not hurt to have a guy like Hamilton on your roster. 

This decision will be for the new manager Pedro Grifol to decide, as he did not coach Hamilton with the White Sox in 2021, but he is familiar with Hamilton from his time with the Kansas City Royals in 2019. Regardless of the connection, Grifol is going to pick the player he feels benefits the team the most, whether it be Hamilton or Marisnick. 

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Eleanor Eleanore
Eleanor Eleanore
Mar 24, 2023 12:25 pm

super

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