Article: David Hamilton Has Overstayed His Welcome With Red Sox

[Alex Mayes]

David Hamilton is a speedster on the base paths. When he’s on, he’s likely going to steal the base in front of him. He’s always attempting to put himself in scoring position. The problem? David Hamilton is rarely on base.

He’s currently slashing .193/.221/301. In 2024, Alex Cora let Hamilton play his way through struggles, through necessity, and Hamilton was a contributing member of the team until an injury shut his season down in August. Last year, the team could afford to let Hamilton fight his way out of a struggle. This year, though? There are already guys in the lineup who are struggling, so Hamilton sits on the bench, hoping to come in as a pinch runner in a close game situation. 

His slash line is abysmal, but his underlying numbers should give you even more pause for concern. He’s working with a 28.4% strikeout rate and a 2.3% walk rate. That’s not a typo — he’s walking less than three percent of the time while hitting below the Mendoza line. There’s no confidence when he’s in the starting line up at any position because he’s almost an automatic out right now. His only hope to show off that speed is as a pinch runner, but at this moment, there’s no need for a speedy base stealer who does nothing else on the roster. Hamilton seems to be someone that Cora is fond of, so a DFA is likely not happening until and unless a 40-man spot is needed, but a demotion to Worcester should be in the cards for him. That begs the question: who could replace him on the 26-man roster?

Enter Blaze Jordan.

I know what you’re thinking: Jordan has only been in Worcester for less than a week. That’s fine. He plays a position of need in Boston, and if the team is comfortable letting Kristian Campbell figure things out at the big league level, then they should let Jordan do the same. Jordan plays a solid first base, something the Red Sox are currently lacking, and allows for Romy Gonzalez to shift around the diamond more. Giving Gonzalez the ability to play second and third gives the Red Sox more depth, which will let the team give Campbell some days off to further figure things out on both offense and defense. Jordan provides more than just first base depth though. He seems to have grown quite a bit as a hitter entering the 2025 season and has started to tap into the power potential he showcased when he was drafted. He’s currently sitting at a 35.7% hard hit percentage and slugging an incredible .938. That slugging percentage won’t last forever, but it’s a very positive sign that he’s finally tapping into that power. 

The other side of this is that the Red Sox drafted Jordan in the third round in 2020. You typically don’t think of a third-round pick that needs to prove his worth, but the team paid him a $1.75 million bonus, significantly above his slot value of $667,990. That bonus is what pushed Jordan to sign with the team over going to Mississippi State, the college team he had committed to during high school. Give him a shot on the main roster to see if that further unlocks something, or at least offers another first base option so the team isn’t counting on Gonzalez and Abraham Toro to shuffle between first and third. 

David Hamilton could be a valuable piece to this team if his offense picked up, but it’s looking more and more likely that he’s just a one-dimensional player who should only be used in specific late-game circumstances. Sending him back to Worcester and calling up Blaze Jordan would allow the Red Sox to continue to focus on youth talent with upside, while giving Hamilton a place to figure out the offensive side of the game again.

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[TedYazPapiMookie]

We have to continue to do the math.  13 players on offense.

1 Catcher - Narvaez, 1 1B - TORO, 1 2B - Campbell, 1 SS -Mayer, 1 - 3B Story (Bregman in a month)

3 OF - Duran, Rafaela and Anthony (should be there now)

1 Reserve Catcher - Wong, 1 Reserve Corner InfielderTBD with Toro there when Casas returns in 2026,

1 Reserve Middle Infielder - TBD (upon Bregman's return it will be Story), 1 - Reserve OF - Abreu

 

Here is the problem.  Cora has got a bunch of AAA players on the roster and there is no room.

Today, Mayer should be getting time at SS so he proves he can play there, otherwise, send him to AAA.

Story is untradeable so put him in Bregman's position and then when Bregman returns make him the reserve Middle Infielder.

Assume Toro is the 1B since nobody is going out and getting Carlos Santana (a real mlb 1B available)

Casas comes back next year and needs to beat out Toro and if he does Toro can be the Reserve Corner Infielder if he can beat out Blaze Jordan for that spot.

So, if Abreu and Refsnyder need to be a platoon since Abreu can't hit lefties, which of the 13 spots does Refsnyder get?  It's impractical to have a platoon 4th outfielder so I believe Abreu is the odd man out and needs to be traded.  He's a streaky hitter and simply can't hit lefties.  He's got a great arm and above average defense albeit not GG level despite his win.

Now answer where should Hamilton be?  AAA? No room on the MLB roster if Anthony is up.  What about Romy Gonzalez another player starting instead of Mayer?  Where should he be?  AAA

Cora needs both Mayer and Anthony developing their hitting and defense in 2025 in the MLB.  By all the young players being up the same year, it's not likely any will win a free year of eligibility according to the latest CBA.  So, let's get the 2026 team playing daily, even if they lose like the Pirates.  By September the team will know if Mayer can cut it, Campbell can cut it and Anthony can cut it.  Duran, Rafaela, Casas have all proven that and Narvaez is winning over many already.  Devers and Bregman are givens so by the time Bregman comes back from injury both Mayer and Anthony could have a full month of experience.  

It's time to part ways with Cora, bring up the 2026 team and work with Breslow to determine if the big three are good enough to be everyday starters at their respective positions.  Send the rest back to AAA in case of injuries.  None of them are legitimate league average or better MLB players.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

14 minutes ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

Cora needs both Mayer and Anthony developing their hitting and defense in 2025 in the MLB.  By all the young players being up the same year, it's not likely any will win a free year of eligibility according to the latest CBA. 

Rookie shortstop for the A's, Jacob Wilson, is second in the AL in hits and batting average, and has only struck out 16 times in 268 plate appearances. He's 5th in OPS (between Bregman and Devers).

Unless pitchers can write a book on him soon, Wilson seems an early lock for Rookie of the Year -- and another good reason for Boston to stop waiting to bring up Anthony (and not have to worry about paying him what he's worth in the 2030s).

[TedYazPapiMookie]

27 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Rookie shortstop for the A's, Jacob Wilson, is second in the AL in hits and batting average, and has only struck out 16 times in 268 plate appearances. He's 5th in OPS (between Bregman and Devers).

Unless pitchers can write a book on him soon, Wilson seems an early lock for Rookie of the Year -- and another good reason for Boston to stop waiting to bring up Anthony (and not have to worry about paying him what he's worth in the 2030s).

Excellent point!!!

[mvp 78]

Calling up Blaze after 6 games instead of Anthony. Ridiculous. 

[sk7326]

Hamilton is worth sending down I guess - but it makes more sense to just trade him for a minor league something ... a solid defensive IF is someone who could help SOMEBODY.  

That the Sox are playing some journeymen randos at 1B over Blaze Jordan probably tells you more about where the near term plan is for Jordan than anything.  

Anthony should be up here ... but there are baseball reasons for keeping him down for now.  I also think he'd be up already if he was right-handed.   

 

[mvp 78]

6 minutes ago, sk7326 said:

Hamilton is worth sending down I guess - but it makes more sense to just trade him for a minor league something ... a solid defensive IF is someone who could help SOMEBODY.  

That the Sox are playing some journeymen randos at 1B over Blaze Jordan probably tells you more about where the near term plan is for Jordan than anything.  

Anthony should be up here ... but there are baseball reasons for keeping him down for now.  I also think he'd be up already if he was right-handed.   

 

What are the baseball reasons for keeping Anthony down? 

[notin]

I think Hamilton sticks in Boston ant most until Bregman returns.  Toro has made himself a keeper, at lest for 2025. 
 

Anthony does need a call up, but who does he push to the bench? Even Rafaela is holding his own as a starter. In theory, Rafaela to 2b and demote Campbell, but Cora clearly prefers C-Note be his CF and not sure what Campbell gets out of AAA.  Should the Sox bench Abreu here?

Anthony  could also DH, but that’s a whole separate thread…

[sk7326]

7 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

What are the baseball reasons for keeping Anthony down? 

The simple ones are that the team's OF'ers have been mostly good and that it is a VERY left-handed lineup to begin with.  I don't think those are necessarily reasons that should stop the team from promoting him - but I can see why they feel they can take their time to a degree.  

[sk7326]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

I think Hamilton sticks in Boston ant most until Bregman returns.  Toro has made himself a keeper, at lest for 2025. 
 

Anthony does need a call up, but who does he push to the bench? Even Rafaela is holding his own as a starter. In theory, Rafaela to 2b and demote Campbell, but Cora clearly prefers C-Note be his CF and not sure what Campbell gets out of AAA.  Should the Sox bench Abreu here?

Anthony  could also DH, but that’s a whole separate thread…

Yeah - this is the rub.  Personally, the move is to shop Duran ... who is one of their best trade chips period.  But who knows if/when that would happen.  

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

14 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

What are the baseball reasons for keeping Anthony down? 

John Henry doesn't want to lose more baseballs that fly out of Fenway Park.

[mvp 78]

Abreu - 634 OPS since May 1, but the only RF defender they have

Duran - doesn't really hit LHP, defense has slipped, about a 750 OPS guy now? 

Rafaela - all his value comes in playing CF, his OPS jumped 100 points because of 4 HR in 7 games, but he's just really streaky at the bat 

To me, none of these guys would stand in the way of Roman Anthony. He's the best prospect in baseball and a potential multiple MVP award winner. You either trade a guy, rotate Anthony in, or platoon Rafaela and Duran. 

[Maxbialystock]

A silly thread that seeks to rearrange the deck chairs while the pitching staff is causing the 2025 Sox to founder.  

Who cares what happens to Hamilton when the Sox team ERA is ranked 23d in MLB?  

The Sox are now ranked 4th in MLB in runs scored.   Hitting isn't the problem and will in fact get better when Bregman returns.  

I would love to see Anthony brought up to Boston, but honestly see him as a trick pony, a diversion from our real problem, pitching.  

 

[Maxbialystock]

8 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Abreu - 634 OPS since May 1, but the only RF defender they have

Duran - doesn't really hit LHP, defense has slipped, about a 750 OPS guy now? 

Rafaela - all his value comes in playing CF, his OPS jumped 100 points because of 4 HR in 7 games, but he's just really streaky at the bat 

To me, none of these guys would stand in the way of Roman Anthony. He's the best prospect in baseball and a potential multiple MVP award winner. You either trade a guy, rotate Anthony in, or platoon Rafaela and Duran. 

All good points, but the simple fact is that another bat doesn't ameliorate the real problem, pitching.  

The Sox currently are ranked 4th in MLB in runs scored and 23d in team ERA.  

On the other hand, if you believe the pitching is unfixable, which it probably is, then now is the perfect time to make room for Anthony.  

[Bellhorn04]

13 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Abreu - 634 OPS since May 1, but the only RF defender they have

Duran - doesn't really hit LHP, defense has slipped, about a 750 OPS guy now? 

Rafaela - all his value comes in playing CF, his OPS jumped 100 points because of 4 HR in 7 games, but he's just really streaky at the bat

Rafaela's value comes in playing CF extremely well, that is.

 

[Maxbialystock]

3 hours ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

We have to continue to do the math.  13 players on offense.

1 Catcher - Narvaez, 1 1B - TORO, 1 2B - Campbell, 1 SS -Mayer, 1 - 3B Story (Bregman in a month)

3 OF - Duran, Rafaela and Anthony (should be there now)

1 Reserve Catcher - Wong, 1 Reserve Corner InfielderTBD with Toro there when Casas returns in 2026,

1 Reserve Middle Infielder - TBD (upon Bregman's return it will be Story), 1 - Reserve OF - Abreu

 

Here is the problem.  Cora has got a bunch of AAA players on the roster and there is no room.

Today, Mayer should be getting time at SS so he proves he can play there, otherwise, send him to AAA.

Story is untradeable so put him in Bregman's position and then when Bregman returns make him the reserve Middle Infielder.

Assume Toro is the 1B since nobody is going out and getting Carlos Santana (a real mlb 1B available)

Casas comes back next year and needs to beat out Toro and if he does Toro can be the Reserve Corner Infielder if he can beat out Blaze Jordan for that spot.

So, if Abreu and Refsnyder need to be a platoon since Abreu can't hit lefties, which of the 13 spots does Refsnyder get?  It's impractical to have a platoon 4th outfielder so I believe Abreu is the odd man out and needs to be traded.  He's a streaky hitter and simply can't hit lefties.  He's got a great arm and above average defense albeit not GG level despite his win.

Now answer where should Hamilton be?  AAA? No room on the MLB roster if Anthony is up.  What about Romy Gonzalez another player starting instead of Mayer?  Where should he be?  AAA

Cora needs both Mayer and Anthony developing their hitting and defense in 2025 in the MLB.  By all the young players being up the same year, it's not likely any will win a free year of eligibility according to the latest CBA.  So, let's get the 2026 team playing daily, even if they lose like the Pirates.  By September the team will know if Mayer can cut it, Campbell can cut it and Anthony can cut it.  Duran, Rafaela, Casas have all proven that and Narvaez is winning over many already.  Devers and Bregman are givens so by the time Bregman comes back from injury both Mayer and Anthony could have a full month of experience.  

It's time to part ways with Cora, bring up the 2026 team and work with Breslow to determine if the big three are good enough to be everyday starters at their respective positions.  Send the rest back to AAA in case of injuries.  None of them are legitimate league average or better MLB players.

Baloney.  I'm all for bringing Anthony up along with Mayer and Campbell who are already up.  

But the Sox right now are ranked 4th in MLB in runs scored and 23d in team ERA.  So Anthony is going to fix nothing although he could be a pleasant diversion.  

And Cora is the wrong guy to point the finger at when it's Breslow who gave up Sale and brought in Giolito.  Those moves alone determined the Sox ignominy last season and this season.   If you say the real culprit on pitching is JH, I won't disagree.  But I will vehemently disagree Cora is the problem.  

[Bellhorn04]

8 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

A silly thread that seeks to rearrange the deck chairs while the pitching staff is causing the 2025 Sox to founder.

To be fair, the 2025 Sox are one of those teams where the biggest problem can change from week to week.

Right now it's definitely the rotation. 

[sk7326]

27 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Abreu - 634 OPS since May 1, but the only RF defender they have

Duran - doesn't really hit LHP, defense has slipped, about a 750 OPS guy now? 

Rafaela - all his value comes in playing CF, his OPS jumped 100 points because of 4 HR in 7 games, but he's just really streaky at the bat 

To me, none of these guys would stand in the way of Roman Anthony. He's the best prospect in baseball and a potential multiple MVP award winner. You either trade a guy, rotate Anthony in, or platoon Rafaela and Duran. 

This is a fair take - I'm not even sure I disagree.  Honestly, the move is to trade Duran or Rafaela (I lean Duran).  And at a certain point - Abreu probably has to move ... because The Password is looking very interesting, though that might be a 2026 interesting. 

[notin]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Abreu - 634 OPS since May 1, but the only RF defender they have

Duran - doesn't really hit LHP, defense has slipped, about a 750 OPS guy now? 

Rafaela - all his value comes in playing CF, his OPS jumped 100 points because of 4 HR in 7 games, but he's just really streaky at the bat 

To me, none of these guys would stand in the way of Roman Anthony. He's the best prospect in baseball and a potential multiple MVP award winner. You either trade a guy, rotate Anthony in, or platoon Rafaela and Duran. 

The big issue with dealing Duran is he’s been a very good leadoff hitter.  And while he struggles against lefties, he’s not so bad as to necessitate a platoon...

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

The big issue with dealing Duran is he’s been a very good leadoff hitter.  And while he struggles against lefties, he’s not so bad as to necessitate a platoon...

I'd make Anthony the leadoff hitter. 

[Maxbialystock]

54 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

To be fair, the 2025 Sox are one of those teams where the biggest problem can change from week to week.

Right now it's definitely the rotation. 

That has definitely happened.  Right after Bregman went on the IL, the Sox hitting stunk to high heaven.  Now it seems to be bouncing back, but for how long?

Nevertheless, 4th in runs scored, season to date, is pretty good, just as 23d in team ERA is pretty bad.

And I'm sick and tired off all the whining about the defense when the MLB best team fielding percentage is 99% and the Sox are at 98%.   Right now the Sox have a CF, RF, C, and 3d basemen (Bregman plus Mayer) who are all in the top 5 in MLB in DWAR's.   Story and Duran are at least  adequate.  So that leaves 1b and 2b as the only weak defensive positions.  

[Maxbialystock]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I'd make Anthony the leadoff hitter. 

Fine with me.  

[notin]

22 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I'd make Anthony the leadoff hitter. 

Me too, but largely by default…