The White Sox have signed outfielder Billy Hamilton to a minor league contract, MLB.com’s Scott Merkin reports (Twitter link). Hamilton will receive an invitation to Chicago’s big league Spring Training camp.
This is Hamilton’s second stint with the White Sox, after he played in 71 games with the club in 2021. Playing mostly as a part-time outfielder, late-inning defensive sub, and pinch-runner, Hamilton delivered his signature blend of strong defense and speed (a perfect 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts) while also making 135 trips to the plate for the AL Central champions.
Hamilton’s skillset made him an intriguing player early in his career, as he finished second in NL Rookie Of The Year voting in 2014 with the Reds, and he stole 230 bases (out of 282 chances) with Cincinnati from 2014-17. However, Hamilton has never hit above a replacement level, turning him into a journeyman as he looks to enter his 11th Major League season. The 32-year-old has suited up for eight different teams at the MLB level, with 690 of his 948 appearances coming in a Cincinnati uniform.
Playing time has been a lot more sporadic for Hamilton since his Reds tenure ended, and he has bounced around the league on a series of minor league deals. In 2022, Hamilton inked minors contracts with the Mariners, Marlins, and Twins, ultimately getting to the big leagues for 20 games with Miami and 17 for Minnesota.
Though the smaller sample sizes of playing time make it somewhat harder for Hamilton to be properly gauged by defensive metrics, he still appears to have a solid glove capable of handling any outfield position. He’ll be a useful depth piece for the White Sox considering Luis Robert’s injury history, and Gavin Sheets’ struggles in the outfield. The Sox shored up left field in a big way by signing Andrew Benintendi this week, and prospect Oscar Colas is knocking on the door to split time with (or perhaps supplant) Sheets for right field duties.
davidk1979
Amazin that he still gets jobs
Cleon Jones
Yes, but he’s the fastest in MLB to the dugout after striking out.
avenger65
Hamilton is probably the best of’er on the Sox. Until Robert stops being afraid of the wall, Hamilton is a superior fielder. True, he can’t hit but that’s not why teams keep taking him. He made the most spectacular catch that I’ve ever seen in 2020 or 21. There’s a small sign in left center in Comiskey Park (Yes, I still call it Comiskey. I’m not contractually obligated to call it by it’s sponsor’s name.) It says “The Catch.” It’s from a game-saving catch in the 2005 WS, but it could very well also be for Hamilton’s fantastic catch in the mud.
baines03
The Catch refers to dewayne Wise’s catch to secure Buehrle’s perfect game. Nothing to do with 2005 WS.
John Kappel
Hey Avenger65,……
youtu.be/5hfYJsQAhl0
Brad Zoe
Lol “it refers to a catch in 05”
Fever Pitch Guy
avenger – Nice writeup on Hamilton, do you have a similar one prepared for Dee Gordon’s next contract?
David Barista
I believe Hamilton’s mud catch was in Minnesota?
Dock_Elvis
I think maybe he’s referring to the Scott Podsednick catch in the 05 series.
avenger65
I stand corrected.
avenger65
No, I believe it was in Chicago.
socalsoxfan78
Correct.
Yanksfan75
The catch refers to the catch Dewayne Wise made to protect Mark Burlhe or however its spelled perfect game…
CluHaywood
Literally nothing avenger said was true. Robert has shown absolutely zero inclination to shy away from walls, which is actually how he has hurt himself a few times, “The Catch” has absolutely nothing to do with Hamilton whatsoever, but Dwayne Wise saving Buerhle’s perfect game for the 2nd out in the 9th inning against the Rays, and that mud catch, he wasn’t even on the Sox, though he did have a spectacular lay out snag in either CF or RF, I believe.
#1WhiteSoxFan
Mark Buehrle!
#1WhiteSoxFan
Welcome back, Billy!
Dogbone
Yeah baby! Players like him, hard to find em lol. A real difference maker. Belongs on the Chisox. Eye Roll!!
Steinbrenner2728
Stay with the Cubs in your own lane, Dogbone.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
The bigger bases are for Daniel Vogelbach so the next time he bangs one off the wall in center they won’t be able to throw him out at first…(I love watching this dude run the bases)
Dumpster Divin Theo
Own lane? That would be the hotpot in his little hovel. The Underground Man Ibelieve
Yankee Clipper
Why is there a picture of Tatis Jr for the thumbnail of this article…. ?
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Because it wouldn’t fit on the pinky nail?
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Bigger bases and fewer throws to first will still not be enough to help Hamilton.
avenger65
Wait and see. His other value other than defense is his speed on the bases as a pinch runner. Since all the changes Manfred put in place for next season, all of them benefit the offense. I don’t think Ricky Henderson is going to be pleased when someone breaks his stolen base record thanks to an over-sized second base. I see asterisk written all over it.
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I see 60 bunt hits this year.
fre5hwind
I see 120
This one belongs to the Reds
Problem is they tried to teach him how to bunt well in Cincinnati and he never became at least decent at it.
If he could, that would change his offensive game.
avenger65
I’m sure the opposition would catch on soon enough. Their third and basemen would be playing up like fast pitch softball.
Dogbone
He’s got to figure a way to get on base, first of all.
.
Bunt hits are a good way to get to first base.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
A lot of major leaguers will have to relearn how to bunt. I saw some pathetic attempts in 2022.
avenger65
If the bunt has a resurgence, then pitch outs have to make a comeback as well.
DogDays2
Hamilton will be released before the All Star break.
Yankee Clipper
The shift ban will fix him!
Right?
GO1962
I don’t believe Hamilton will be released before the All Star break. Instead, I believe he will be in the starting lineup once Robert and Jiminez are placed on the injury list.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Nope. Fan favorite and popular clubhouse mascot. He back.
SupremeZeus
White Sox depth is so bad that the 2023 version of Billy Hamilton might be their 4th OF.
Rsox
Hamilton was actually pretty solid for the White Sox off the bench in ’21
Dumpster Divin Theo
Having Sheets as your 4th and Billy as 5th is actually solid depth
Brick House Coffee Tables Inc
He’s fine as their 5th – they need someone to caddy for Sheets in RF in late innings, and pinch run for the catchers. If he gets more than 100PA, though, Grifol should be mocked relentlessly.
cwsOverhaul
Apologies crosstown for overshadowing the Swanson signing.
.
Poor Billy completely overshadowed by Swansby’s signing 5mins after.
solaris602
He probably is pleasantly surprised there is even a franchise left willing to offer him any kind of minors deal.
.
4 more years in the show and then KBO for 5 years.
baseballteam
Hey he looks sharp in the massive ski sun goggles so why not
Benjamin101677
His speed would play so well with the bigger bases. Not being able to hit with his other tools cost him millions. He he could have hit 250-260 with his speed and defense he would have been an amazingly player.
TrillionaireTeamOperator
Billy effin Hamilton. Bain of my existence. The Quadruplw-A player that keeps popping up.
.
He needs another year or 2 in AA and he’ll be alright.
sckoul
He is Adam Engel with less Injury issues and more speed. Great 4th OF. Sadly this is an upgrade.
Dogbone
No it’s not.
solaris602
Interesting that they brought him back. Hamilton simply cannot hit – never could. Even though the FO has seen this with their own eyes, it apparently doesn’t matter to them.
.
He’s still considered a “prospect” by some..
windmill_noise_causes_cancer
Those sunglasses need to be DFA
baseballteam
His sunglasses broke once and Safelite had to come out to fix.
ncaachampillini
Safelite repair, Safelite replace.
(Worst jingle ad of all time.)
Yankee Clipper
I heard those are the new solar powered ones. The have a jump pack function too in case your car doesn’t start.
msqboxer
It’s a minor league deal…step away from the ledge Sox fans.
PiratesFan1981
He’s back! I guess he found out that the Sunday beer league doesn’t pay and trying to come back to MLB. Surprised any time signed this guy. .111 BA and people thought Chris Davis couldn’t hit
Brad Zoe
I’m happy to have him instead of always injured Engel. Good bench guy and funny as hellllll
The Brokenheart Kid
Don’t see why any Sox fan would grouse abut this signing. He was pretty okay during his first stint with the Sox. Can’t hit a lick but he can play defense and has speed. He’s perfect as a 4th or 5th OFer or designated runner. Seems like a likeable teammate, too.
In nurse follars
Every poster here would love to have hamilton’s career as a guy who plays in the major leagues. You don’t have to love his skills but you also can respect what he achieved. Maybe more to come. No need for the snark or the hate.
BStereo9
He’s been loved by players and fans everywhere he goes. There’s a reason for that for sure
.
Hamilton is the Freddy Adu of Baseball. Always liked him.
Didlz
Can somebody tell me how he had 10 stolen bases last season with 1 hit and 2 walks? This is the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen and I cannot figure out how it makes sense.
1 total base and 10 steals. Please how does this work I just cannot wrap my brain around it.
Didlz
Sorry I’m an idiot. He must have been a replacement runner.
.
He stole 2nd 3rd and home on both of the walks and the hit. Thats 9. Then stole 2nd when he reached on catchers interferrence in another AB.
PutPeteinthehall
He played well as a late inning runner/ defensive replacement specialist for 21 white Sox
Orseno24
Now go sign Drury to play 2nd
ponytail01
I thought Reyes and Leury were the fourth and fifth outfielders.
longines64
Send him to Juan Pierre school of small ball.
.
WoooOOOO! All day!!! Maaannn I miss that guy!
StudWinfield
He’s my favorite MLB’er to watch when it doesn’t involve swinging at a baseball.
BigGarg
Really sucks that Hamilton never was able to hit. That five stolen base game against Jon Lester and the Cubs years ago was still one of the most dominating games I’ve ever seen on a baseball field.
ASapsFables
I like this. It might also spell the end for a return of Adam Engel who was non-tendered by the White Sox last month.
nrd1138
I do not know what happened to Engel, but the minute he let that foul ball pop out of his glove I think many thought that was the final straw as his fielding was a main reason to keep him and even that left him last season
robert-5
LOL….
whyhayzee
Heyman’s an idiot.
Please stop listening to him, MLBTR.
BStereo9
Ya Bimly
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Not a bad depth signing in case Colas isn’t ready yet. With no Engle, Sox could use a late-inning defensive replacement/pinch runner. Few people are better suited to that role than Hamilton.
Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman
This guy could’ve passed 900 stolen bases in his career had he ever learned to hit for better average and been a starter most of his career. If I was him I’d be doing nothing but working on bunting in the batting cage this winter.
Strauss
That’s awesome Gerry! Almost as good as the cubs getting Swanson.
SELL THE TEAM
Rallyshirt
The fans like this guy
MadSkillsUniversity
I guess this is a replacement move for Engel, but it is not impressive at all. The Sox need a REAL hitting Ofer. Maybe they are expecting Colas to be in MLB soon. That said, Eloy is a DH, period.
nrd1138
Another move which makes it sound that even the White Sox management think that they will not be playoff contenders in ’23. It sounds like they are just hoping (another ‘hope’ in the org) that the new rules means that somehow Hamilton will steal 300 bases this season (and apparently will be gifted 1st base at least twice a game since his hitting is godawful), there of course is pinch running, but again, there is no one else that can hit for anything that can also steal a bag in this org?? The other problem is he cannot steal home, and the Sox only have maybe one or two guys that can actually drive in runs from third on a consistent basis. I guess they can hope for wild pitches to score on, which is what the Sox did a lot in ’22 since their hitters could not drive them in. .
chisox81
I don’t mind this signing at all. Fan favorite, late inning defensive replacement and pinch runner. Start him off in the minors to work on his hitting and take it from there.