Baseball America's Top 20 Major League Rookies

by JD Arney on Aug 30, 2007 12:44 PM EDT in News

Josh Hamilton

Josh Hamilton comes in at number 14:

14. Josh Hamilton, cf, 26, Reds
AVG: .286 OBP: .376 SLG: .563 AB: 245 HR: 17 2B: 13 SB: 3/6
Though Hamilton's been limited to just 37 at-bats since the All-Star break because of a wrist injury, he's batted .324/.405/.676 in that span.

Hamilton is behind a couple of guys who I think he could have leapfrogged (Delmon Young, Reggie Willitis, Chris Young arguably), but ultimately I think his injuries hold him back on a list like this. A line of .286/.376/.563 from a guy who had previously barely played above single A.

Ultimately I think it's going to come down to how healthy Hamilton can be, and if he can play 140+ games a year then he'll be giving the Reds quite a bit of payroll flexibility for the next five years.

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We get him for five years?

I didn't realize it was that long...

by Gray on Aug 30, 2007 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

yeah he's just like any other rookie

6 major league years under control before he hits free agency. thats 5 all star appearances and two MVPs by my count...

at least this isnt pittsburgh

by Charlie Scrabbles on Aug 30, 2007 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

I think people rate Hamilton lower because so many view him as a high-risk kind of player. Even before drug use, he had a bad history with injuries. Lets hope his body gets stronger, and he is able to play a whole year in 08

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on Aug 30, 2007 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

There's no way...

...he should be ranked 14. Maybe not one because of the injuries, but my God the man almost has a 1.000 OPS. He's been a remarkably pleasant surprise. I can't think of anyone with little experience above A-ball, 26, and playing like this in the bigs their rookie season.

by tonywf on Aug 30, 2007 2:20 PM EDT reply actions