Cincinnati Reds’ Billy Hamilton starts the season with smooth transition

Billy Hamilton has started the 2017 season for the Cincinnati Reds the same way that he played most of last year.

Last season Hamilton batted .260 with an OBP of .321 for the Cincinnati Reds.  So far this season he is batting .286 with a .304 OBP.  That OBP is the key.

In order for Hamilton to take advantage of his speed as a lead-off hitter, he needs to keep that OBP above .300.  2016 was the first full season in his MLB career that he was able to keep it above .300.  He scored 69 runs, which was more than one for every two games.

2016 would have easily been a career year for Hamilton, if he had stayed healthy.  He had to shutdown his season after 119 games due to injuries.  He was on pace for career highs in runs and doubles having already achieved the same in walks and steals.

So in five games so far this season, Hamilton already has 6 hits, 2 runs and 2 steals.  That puts him just behind his career high stolen base pace from last year and well ahead of his career best hit total from 2014.  Of course, 2014 is the only season in Hamilton’s MLB career when he stayed healthy for the entire season.

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Defense is a consideration as well.  So far in 45 innings, Hamilton’s range factor is 2.4.  At the end of last season, it was 2.48.  He should equal or surpass that number if he stays healthy all season long.

Billy Hamilton started five of the first six games for the Cincinnati Reds to start the 2017 season.

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Hamilton started the first four games for the Cincinnati Reds before sitting out a 10-4 Saint Louis Cardinals blowout in the fifth game of the season.  So far, the only game that the Reds have lost when Hamilton has played this season was Opening Day.

Hamilton is the Reds’ most important player for them to have a successful season.  The pitching staff is important to help keep the other team in check.  Joey Votto is also important as the best offensive player in the National League, but no other single Red will have the win-loss leverage that Hamilton will for the Reds in 2017.

When Hamilton is out of the line-up it causes two issues.  The first is that the bench suddenly loses its flexibility.  With Hamilton out Arismendy Alcantara has to play center.

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The other thing is that it makes Jose Peraza or Scooter Gennett bat lead-off.  Peraza is a close substitute, but isn’t ready to carry the load.  Gennett isn’t in Hamilton’s class as a base runner.  That’s why the Reds need Hamilton to keep playing like this all year long.