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Billy Hamilton – SS/CF

Drafted: 2nd round, 57th overall, 2009 MLB Draft
Team: Cincinnati Reds
eBay Listings: Billy Hamilton
Baseball America – Billy Hamilton
Birthdate: September 9, 1990
Twitter: @b_ham_3

Before Opening Day of the 2011 season, Hamilton was ranked by Baseball America as the 50th best prospect in baseball. That season, while playing for the Dayton Dragons (Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds), Hamilton became the 12th minor league player to have 100 stolen bases in a season and the first since 2001 when Chris Morris of the Peoria Chiefs accomplished the feat. He finished the season with 103 total stolen bases and hit .278/.340/.360.
Prior to 2012, Baseball America ranked Hamilton as the 48th best prospect. MLB rated Hamilton as the 31st best prospect, 4th best shortstop, and the 2nd best prospect in the Reds organization behind catcher Devin Mesoraco, who is now the starter for the franchise.
On August 21st, 2012, Hamilton stole a record 146th base in his 120th game for the Bakersfield Blaze and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. The record was previously held by Vince Coleman for the Class A Macon Redbirds in 1983. He finished the 2012 season with 155 stolen bases. In conclusion, this kid’s got wheels.

Billy Hamilton is moving to CF next year for the Cincinnati Reds.

Cards on the market:

2009 Bowman
2009 TriStar Prospects
2011 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues
2011 TriStar
2011 Bowman Platinum
2011 Bowman Sterling
2012 Bowman Platinum
2012 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues