Reds Want Hamilton To Focus On Bunting
The Cincinnati Reds want Billy Hamilton to use his speed and quickness this season by bunting to get on base.
Helping Hamilton is his former manager, Double-A Pensacola skipper and former Major League speedster Delino DeShields.
"It's been good," Hamilton said. "I've been working on my bunting a lot more, and me and him are doing things with my hitting that will help me out this season. When Spring Training comes, I will be ready."
The 23-year-old Hamilton is expected to be the club's new leadoff hitter and center fielder.
"If he is what we think he can be, he'll be just what we need -- somebody that puts that bit of fear in every opponent," Reds manager Bryan Price said in December. "I watched Ichiro [Suzuki] do it [for the Mariners]. He was a true left-handed hitter, but the speed tool just created a sense of anxiety that was palpable on the field."
Via Mark Sheldon/MLB