(Photo from Springfield News-Leader)
About a couple of months ago I was getting pretty excited about 1B Mark Hamilton. He was hitting .290/.348/.520 after overcoming a tough April in a power suppressing environment, hitting 8 homers in June. (Thanks to the glasses, I’ve heard). I was hoping the power would continue upon being called up to a more hitter friendly league and park, but that has obviously failed to happen.
(Graph from First Inning)
His power has been shot to shreds since being called up and I’m wondering when and if he will regain it.
His BABIP is overall is .297, but only .234 at home, despite hitting for a 27% line drive rate. By all appearances, he’s smoking the ball right to the 2nd baseman or the center fielder. I’m a little worried about the “warning track” power, coming from a guy who is supposed to be such a slugger and was for Tulane and Palm Beach. I’d like to see him use the whole field more, few of the balls he’s put in play are to the left side. More so, I’d like to see his power reappear. AZ thought he might be another Mike Ferris, I still really don’t think so but he’s doing nothing in AA to prove otherwise. He still has time to turn it around of course, but where does he play if he does?
Filed under: Mark Hamilton
erik
azruavatar
fewgoodcards
roarke49
theredbaaron
Having watch Hamilton in every home game since he came to Springfield I have to agree he has not had a very good year except for the one week he was player of the week in the Texas League. Those games were on the road. The ball just does not jump off his bat. What also bothers me is his defense is below average at first base. Ferris was much better on defense the time he spent in Springfield this year but he also had problems with his hitting just like Hamilton. Also Hamilton in my opinion comes across as a me guy. Some of the fans that set around me also says the same thing. Hopefully he can get it together. Pop Warner made a statement the other day that he thought that Hamilton problems at the plate was carring over to his defense.
He more than likely doesn’t play anywhere for the Cardinals. See; Bartin, Daric.