David Hamilton Appears To Be Odd-Man Out At Second Base
Boston Red Sox infielder David Hamilton, who was considered the front-runner for the starting second base job earlier in spring training, now appears to have lost out on the job to prospect Kristian Campbell, who is making his second straight start at the keystone in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. "We have a pretty good idea of what we're going to do (at second). We just have to be patient," manager Alex Cora said Friday. Campbell, Hamilton and Vaughn Grissom had been competing at second in camp, with Grissom being optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday. It's expected that Hamilton will make the roster as a utility infielder if he loses out to Campbell. "There's a pretty good chance he's going to be on the team," Cora said of Hamilton. In AL-only leagues, Hamilton may be worth stashing for his speed.
David Hamilton The Front-Runner For Second Base Job?
The Boston Red Sox have yet to make any decision on a starter at second base in camp, but The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey writes that it seems like David Hamilton has a strong case for the starting job. Although Alex Cora said it's still an open competition among Hamilton, Vaughn Grissom and prospect Kristian Campbell, the skipper has spoken highly of Hamilton, particularly on defense. The 27-year-old's glove plays, but he also stole 33 bases in 98 games in 2024 and had 70 steals in 119 games in 2022 at Double-A. Campbell was initially seen as the front-runner, but he's a work in progress on defense and has gone 5-for-33 at the plate with 13 strikeouts. Hamilton has hit .250 with three doubles and two homers in spring training. Grissom is 6-for-32 (.188) with two doubles in 12 games and hasn't separated himself like Hamilton. Fantasy managers in AL-only and deep-mixed leagues could target Hamilton for his speed.
Boston Red Sox middle infielder David Hamilton (finger) carved out a nice little role off the bench for the BoSox last year against right-handed pitchers, but his season ended early due to a broken index finger. Hamilton is a full-go with spring training right around the corner in 2025 and will be looking to carve out a utility role this year. In addition to being a utility infielder, manager Alex Cora said in January that the 27-year-old could occasionally play in the outfield. Hamilton has only played second base or shortstop in the big leagues, but he did appear in center field eight times in the minors. He has very little power, but Hamilton did finish second on the team in 2024 with 33 stolen bases in 98 games. He's not going to be a regular, but Hamilton's speed could be useful for fantasy managers in AL-only leagues.
According to Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald, infielder David Hamilton could play outfield during the 2025 season. Manager Alex Cora noted that they want him to be as "versatile as possible." Hamilton got his first extended look at the major leagues last season but was deployed extensively at the keystone and shortstop. Through 98 games, the 27-year-old posted a .248/.303/.395 line with eight home runs and 17 doubles. Hamilton provided much of his fantasy value thanks to his speed as he swiped an impressive 33 bags. He was only caught stealing four times. Fantasy managers should expect Hamilton to compete with Vaughn Grissom for starts at the keystone but could eventually carve out a role in the outfield. For now, he should only be targeted in deeper 15+ team formats for his speed alone, as he is not currently guaranteed an everyday spot in the lineup.
Red Sox Place David Hamilton On 10-Day Injured List
The Boston Red Sox placed middle infielder David Hamilton (finger) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a left index-finger fracture and recalled infielder/outfielder Nick Sogard from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move. Hamilton suffered the injury in Wednesday's win over the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays when he attempted to bunt late in the game. The injury typically requires four to six weeks of rest, but the 26-year-old is hoping to return in two to three weeks to help the Red Sox at the tail end of the regular season. Sogard will return to the big-league roster and will be an option at the keystone in Boston, along with Romy Gonzalez and Mickey Gasper. Gasper is getting the nod at second on Thursday and will hit second against Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis. Hamilton's injury is a tough break for Boston and fantasy managers, as he has 33 steals on the year as the team's primary second baseman.
Boston Red Sox middle infielder David Hamilton (fingers, hand) left Wednesday's win over the Toronto Blue Jays early with discomfort in his left fingers/hand. When Hamilton put down a bunt in the eighth inning, the pitch hit some of the fingers on his left hand and he was eventually replaced by Mickey Gasper at second base when the Red Sox took the field in the top of the ninth inning. Manager Alex Cora didn't have an immediate update on Hamilton following the game, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. Don't be surprised if Hamilton isn't in the lineup for Thursday's contest at Fenway Park against the division rivals. The 26-year-old went 0-for-4 with a run scored in the 3-0 win. Hamilton has been a regular in 2024 for Boston at the keystone due to Vaughn Grissom's ongoing injury issues, and he's responded with 33 stolen bases in 294 at-bats.
Boston Red Sox middle infielder David Hamilton will retreat to the bench on Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Fenway Park. With Hamilton starting on the bench, rookie Mickey Gasper will make the start at second base and will hit seventh for Boston versus Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen. Injuries to Trevor Story and Vaughn Grissom this year have thrust Hamilton into increased playing time in Boston, and he's responded with a .254/.308/.407 slash line with eight home runs, 27 RBI, 32 stolen bases and 44 runs scored in 280 total at-bats. His speed obviously plays in all fantasy formats. Hamilton has hit .280 (4-for-50) with three homers, four doubles, nine RBI and six stolen bases in 16 games in August. Gasper will be playing in just his fifth career game in the big leagues and is still searching for his first hit after drawing three walks and striking out once in four plate appearances.
Wilyer Abreu, David Hamilton Sitting Against Left-Hander
Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu and middle infielder David Hamilton will both take a seat on the bench on Monday against the Houston Astros and left-hander Yusei Kikuchi at Minute Maid Park. Rob Refsnyder is getting the start in left field and will hit third, while Romy Gonzalez is starting at the keystone and is batting fifth on Monday versus Kikuchi. Refsnyder could be a popular DFS play, albeit without much power. He's hitting .375 with an .819 OPS and two RBI in eight career at-bats against Kikuchi, plus he's also batting a cool .304 (31-for-102) with six of his eight home runs on the season against southpaws. Abreu has hit only .178 (8-for-45) with one of his 14 long balls on the year against lefties, while Hamilton has hit a similarly weak .222 (10-for-45) with one of his seven home runs against southpaws in 2024.
David Hamilton, Wilyer Abreu Sitting Versus Southpaw
Boston Red Sox middle infielder David Hamilton and outfielder Wilyer Abreu, who both hit from the left side, will take a seat on Wednesday against the visiting Oakland Athletics with left-hander JP Sears on the mound. Jamie Westbrook will get the call to play the keystone and will hit eighth, while Rob Refsnyder draws into the lineup in left field while batting second for the BoSox. Boston sent Enmanuel Valdez to the minors on Tuesday, which basically assures the 26-year-old Hamilton of regular playing time at second base moving forward. His speed (23 stolen bases) makes him worth rostering, even in mixed fantasy leagues. Refsnyder is hitting .300 overall on the year and is also batting .308 (20-for-65) with two of his three homers on the season, making him worth a look as a deep DFS sleeper in the two-hole.
Boston Red Sox middle infielder David Hamilton is starting at second base and is batting in the two-hole for the Red Sox on Thursday against the hosting Miami Marlins and right-hander Kyle Tyler. Hamilton was on the bench for the third time in the last four games for the BoSox on Wednesday, so fantasy managers that have been relying on him for his speed have to be thankful that he's back in there on the Fourth of July. The 26-year-old is hitting just .171 (6-for-35) with a homer, double, four RBI, two walks, seven strikeouts and seven stolen bases in 13 games (nine starts) since June 14. Overall, though, Hamilton has been a bright spot for Boston and for fantasy managers and he's seen plenty of playing time with both Trevor Story and Vaughn Grissom hurt this year. He's mainly been helpful for his speed with 21 steals in 57 games in his second big-league season.
David Hamilton
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Red Sox
