Rewind to April, when the Boston Red Sox couldn't stop making errors in the infield. David Hamilton was the poster boy for the problem — he was blasted by media and fans alike for missing routine plays in the field and looking equally lost at the plate.
Hamilton struggled in the majors after his 2023 debut, and it seemed like he was destined for the same fate in 2024.
But Hamilton has experienced a renaissance. Fans still hold their breaths with him in the field, but Hamilton has become one of the team's best hitters. He's on a torrid stretch at the plate that has earned him every day playing time.
Hamilton went 2-for-4 at the plate with a two-run homer as the Red Sox beat the MLB-leading Philadelphia Phillies, 8-6. His blast put the game out of reach of the best team in baseball to keep the series up for grabs entering Thursday's finale.
David Hamilton’s last 4 games:
— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 13, 2024
2-for-4, steal
2-for-5, HR, double, steal
2-for-4, double
2-for-4, HR pic.twitter.com/xgHdahUTSx
David Hamilton has turned his season around and the Red Sox are reaping the rewards
Nick Pivetta didn't have his best stuff in the June 12 tilt, but the bullpen performed well and the bats came alive in the win. Hamilton's performance maintained his hot streak and he's picked up the slack of the many injured players on Boston's roster.
In his last 30 games, Hamilton is slashing .337/.379/.539, good for a stellar .918 OPS. He's got 11 extra-base hits in the form of seven doubles, one triple, and three home runs. That's upped his season numbers to a .296/.348/.472 slash line with a .820 OPS, four home runs, eight doubles, and 10 RBI in 43 games.
The big calling card for Hamilton has always been his speed. He's been sharp on the base paths and logged 13 steals on 14 attempts this season.
While his defense can still be iffy, Hamilton's offensive surge undoubtedly has the Red Sox in a better position, even though they're still at .500. He was one-half of the return Chaim Bloom got from the Milwaukee Brewers for Hunter Renfroe, and he's making that trade look better given the recent downturn in Renfroe's career.
Hamilton can't save the Red Sox singlehandedly, but he's given Alex Cora reasons to keep him in the lineup daily. If he can improve his defense and maintain his hot streak at the dish, Hamilton may be able to play his way into the infield for the rest of the season.