Billy Hamilton, Center Field, Chicago White Sox

Date of Birth: 9/9/1990
Birthplace: Collins, Mississippi

Billy Hamilton, center fielder for the Chicago White Sox, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 2009. He played in the minor leagues from 2009 through most of 2013, impressing the Reds with his speed. He stole a total of 395 bases and he holds the minor league record for the most stolen bases in a single season with 155.

In 2013, Hamilton played in just 13 games with the Reds. In that short time, he batted .368 with 4 stolen bases. He finished the 2014 season, his first full season in the major leagues, with 141 hits, 25 doubles, 48 RBIs, 56 stolen bases, and a .250 batting average in 152 games. As a center fielder, he made 342 putouts and 2 errors for a fielding percentage of .994 in 144 games.

Hamilton had 57 stolen bases in 2015, one less than major league baseball's leader, Dee Gordon. He finished the season with 93 hits and a .226 batting average in 114 games. As a center fielder, he made 273 putouts and no errors in 110 games.

Hamilton batted .260 in 119 games with the Reds in 2016. He finished the season with 107 hits, 19 doubles, and a career high 58 stolen bases. Defensively, as the Reds' center fielder in 115 games, he made 276 putouts and 3 errors.

In 2017, Hamilton batted .247 in 139 games with the Reds. He was second in MLB in stolen bases with 59, just one stolen base behind the leader, Dee Gordon. He had 144 hits, 17 doubles, 11 triples, 38 RBIs, and 133 strikeouts to 44 walks. Defensively, as the Reds' center fielder in 137 games, he made 301 putouts and 3 errors. He had a .991 fielding percentage.

Hamilton finished the 2018 season with 119 hits, 16 doubles, 34 stolen bases, 132 strikeouts to 46 walks, and a .236 batting average in 153 games. Defensively, as a center fielder in 150 games, he made 348 putouts and 2 errors.

Hamilton became a free agent on November 30, 2018. He signed with the Kansas City Royals on December 11th. The Atlanta Braves claimed him off waivers on August 19, 2019. He finished the 2019 season with 69 hits, 22 stolen bases, and a .218 batting average in 93 games with the Royals and 26 games with the Braves. A strong defensive center fielder, he made 217 putouts and no errors in 114 games. In the postseason, he stole one base as a pinch runner in two games.

Hamilton became a free agent on November 4, 2019. He signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on February 9, 2020. He was traded to the New York Mets on August 2nd. The Chicago Cubs claimed him off waivers on September 7th. He finished the 2020 season with 10 hits in 17 games with the Mets and 14 games with the Cubs. Defensively, he played 25 games in center field.

Hamilton became a free agent on October 28, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians on February 15, 2021. He was released a month later, on March 13th. He signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox on March 16th. He spent time on the IL in 2021, with a left hamstring strain and with a right oblique strain. He finished the season with 28 hits and a .220 batting average in 71 games. He didn't play in the postseason.

Hamilton became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on March 21, 2022. He elected free agency again on June 1st. He signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins on June 23rd. After being assigned to the minor leagues on August 13th, he decided to opt for free agency. He signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins on August 27th.

Hamilton became a free agent on November 6, 2022. He signed a minor league contract with the White Sox on December 19, 2022.

Career batting statistics for Hamilton through 2021 include:

• 911 games played
• 712 hits
• 109 doubles
• 314 stolen bases
• 189 RBIs
• 695 strikeouts to 228 walks
• .240 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Hamilton as a center fielder through 2021 include:

• 849 games played
• 1,858 putouts
• 10 errors
• .995 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Billy Hamilton
ESPN - Billy Hamilton