Cincinnati Reds Rumors – Billy Hamilton to San Francisco makes sense

The Cincinnati Reds have too many outfielders and Billy Hamilton’s speed plays in other cities.

The Cincinnati Reds have an All-Star left fielder.  In right field is a hitter that was the primary return for former home run derby champion, Todd Frazier.  Then they have a top prospect looking for playing time.

Meanwhile, Billy Hamilton is wasted at Great American Ballpark.  There is a reason that a doubles hitter like Scott Schebler can make a run at the home run title.  GABP is a small ballpark.

Adam Duvall was a Gold Glove finalist for a second year in a row in left field.  He has established himself as a true slugger.  He also made the 2016 All-Star team.

Schebler learned how to hit lefties while in Triple-A in 2016.  In 2017 Schebler was able to compete for the home run title early in the seasoon.  He still has some consistency issues to work through.

Then there is top prospect Jesse Winker.  He has nothing left to prove in the minors.  Winker is an OBP machine with a smooth swing.

Want your voice heard? Join the Blog Red Machine team!

Write for us!

The Reds also have Phil Ervin.  Long term Ervin projects as a left fielder,  but right now he plays center.  He appears ready to stay in the big leagues.

With four other outfielders ready to play for the Cincinnati Reds, Billy Hamilton should go to San Francisco.

More from Reds Rumors

• Reds rumors: Nick Castellanos to return this weekend vs Pirates
• Reds trade rumors: Cincinnati finalizing deal for Rockies’ Mychal Givens
• Reds trade rumors: Attempt to acquire shortstop rebuffed
• Reds rumors: Luis Castillo trade speculation is much ado about nothing
• Reds: Ranking the Top 5 best trade deadline targets

The Giants have plenty of prospects that could help the Reds. Plus Denard Span clearly cannot cover center field in AT&T Park.  Hamilton would be a superstar defensively playing in the spacious ballparks of the National League West, if the Reds trade him.

The Giants recently added a trio of 25-year old righties to the forty man roster.  One or more of them could be the beginning of the trade for Hamilton.  Joan Gregorio and Dan Slania are starters, while Chase Johnson is a reliever.

Hamilton would slide into the seventh spot in the batting order.  He would also be in center between Span and right fielder Hunter Pence.  Batting ahead of Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford would still allow Hamilton to score a ton of runs.

It appears that second baseman Joe Panik and Span will battle in spring to bat lead-off.  Hamilton could come into play there as well.  The Giants haven’t decided who will play third base on an everyday basis in 2018.

Next: The Reds have a new ace in Luis Castillo

It will be sad to see Hamilton go.  Unfortunately, this team is still in the rebuild mode.  The prospects the Reds can get back for Hamilton are worth more than watching his defensive play in 2018.