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Rays, Billy Hamilton Agree To Minor League Deal

By Anthony Franco | August 30, 2023 at 7:28pm CDT

The Rays are signing speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton to a minor league contract, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). Hamilton had been released by the White Sox a week ago.

At this stage of his career, the switch-hitting outfielder is a depth player. Hamilton was a regular center fielder for the Reds from 2014-18 on the strength of his speed and glove. He’s appeared for seven different clubs since the start of 2019, hitting .205/.262/.288 through 549 MLB plate appearances. Hamilton has gone an excellent 49-58 in stolen base attempts over that stretch and continued to play strong defense, but the lack of productivity at the plate has bounced him around the league.

Hamilton has barely played in the majors this season, suiting up just twice with the ChiSox. He’s appeared in 28 games with their Triple-A club, hitting .147/.261/.253 while striking out in just under a third of his plate appearances. Hamilton hasn’t played since July 7 because of shoulder discomfort, but a source informed MLBTR last week that he was recently cleared to return to game action.

It’s common for teams to give a look to speed/defense players late in the season. Active rosters expand from 26 to 28 players on Friday, giving clubs some additional leeway to carry a late-game specialist. It’s not uncommon for such players to also crack a postseason roster, though that’s by no means assured in Hamilton’s case.

He will be eligible for the playoff roster if the Rays wanted to give him an MLB look. Players only need to be in the organization before September 1. Players not on the 40-man roster by the start of September have to be granted a commissioner’s exemption to replace an injured player in October, though that’s commonly approved by the league office.

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View Comments (21)

Comments

  1. Buzz Killington

    1 month ago

    Great pick up for expanded rosters. Hopefully he’s called up quickly. Love speedy players. Would love to see another Herb Washington type player.

    2
    Reply
    • Mr big dig

      1 month ago

      He’s been smoking herb it looks like so it might not be a speedy call up

      Reply
    • brooklyn62

      1 month ago

      Speed is such an underused resource in MLB. Rickey Henderson was single handedly the greatest disruptor on the base paths! Really miss Whitey Ball with stolen bases, hit & run, and station to station hitting. So much more of a better game than swing and a miss or homerun uppercut hitting strategy.

      6
      Reply
      • raregokus

        1 month ago

        There’s always someone complaining about something like this in every comments section. Go watch old playoff series on YouTube and let everyone who actually enjoys baseball watch in peace.

        Reply
        • brooklyn62

          1 month ago

          Pho q!

          1
          Reply
        • gbs42

          1 month ago

          rare, it’s possible to enjoy baseball and also prefer it played differently than it is these days.

          3
          Reply
        • brooklyn62

          1 month ago

          Thank you. I have had a baseball revival so to speak. I stopped watching regular season games for about 7 years, only watching the playoffs and Series. Baseball is different, and I give the nod to how the players are truly better than in previous generations. Better conditioning, better nutrition, every team has relievers coming out of the pen throwing what used to be Nolan Ryan speed. Ozzie Smith was the Wizard; now every team has infielders that are able to replicate his fielding acrobatics. Hit and run, base stealing,and 0-0 pitching duels are more exciting to me as a longtime fan than watching guys swing from their shoetops every at bat.

          2
          Reply
        • avenger65

          1 month ago

          brooklyn62: I like close, low-scoring, pitching dual type games, too. Unfortunately, manfred doesn’t.

          Reply
    • avenger65

      1 month ago

      Finally a team who understands the value of speed both on the basepaths and in the OF. If the Rays make him eligible for the PO, he could be a difference maker.

      1
      Reply
    • Ejemp2006

      1 month ago

      If anyone can unlock a player, its the Rays. I’ve been a huge Billie Hamilton fan for years so I am admittedly holding onto foolish hope that he will have a small window of big moments that help us remember his career. Maybe come into a post season game as a pinch runner and steal 2nd, 3rd, and home. Or track down a few impossible gap shots.
      Go Billie, go!

      Reply
  2. The Baseball Fan

    1 month ago

    Good speed for the playoffs. Loved him with the sox

    2
    Reply
  3. MarlinsFanBase

    1 month ago

    Talk about a guy that made the most out of his one skill.

    2
    Reply
  4. Dumpster Divin Theo

    1 month ago

    Billy ! Billy !

    2
    Reply
  5. ccahoe02

    1 month ago

    Nice CF insurance policy and love the speed obviously

    1
    Reply
  6. Rsox

    1 month ago

    Post season pinch runner. What are Terence Gore, Quentin Berry and Jarrod Dyson up to these days?

    Reply
    • PaulyMidwest

      1 month ago

      Berry is the brew crew first base coach: I only know cuz our announcer made a joke today about him still being able to steal some bags:

      1
      Reply
    • MarlinsFanBase

      1 month ago

      If Magnueris Sierra could hit a tiny bit more to be MLB caliber, he’d be able to be one of those guys. Great defense and speed, but can’t hit much to stick on an MLB roster long.

      Reply
  7. Pete'sView

    1 month ago

    You’ve gotta be kidding!

    Reply
  8. BaseballBrian

    1 month ago

    O’s fan here. On behalf of Adley and McCannon, bring it!

    Reply
  9. abc123baseball

    1 month ago

    Hamilton on his way to being an Immaculate Grid hero.

    BTW dude is up to 10.0 career bWAR. That’s nothing to sneeze at. Nobody will call him a bust when he’s 25 seasons deep and having made appearances for all 32 MLB teams.

    1
    Reply
  10. padam

    1 month ago

    Has he officially played for every team?

    Reply

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