Daily Archives: April 5, 2013

Billy Hamilton 2013 Prospectus

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Friday April.5th/2013

Billy Hamilton stealing his first base of 2013.  The MLB has not seen a player steal 100 Bags since the likes of Vince Coleman and Rickey Henderson did the over a quarter of a century ago

Billy Hamilton stealing his first base of 2013. The MLB has not seen a player steal 100 Bags since the likes of Vince Coleman and Rickey Henderson did  over a quarter of a century ago.  Here at the M:B Reports, we think that he can run through a car wash without getting wet!

By Ryan Ritchey ( MLB Reports Writer)

In 2012 Billy Hamilton was one of the most well known Minor Leaguers in all of baseball. Starting out in A+ ball with the Bakersfield Blaze, Hamilton was looking to be on the fast track to the big leagues by September. He played in 82 games with the Blaze and hit .326 with 104 stolen bases. 

Hamilton got the call up to Pensacola (which is the AA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds) and played in 50 games, Stealing 51 Bases. Things didn’t go as planned for him at the plate in Pensacola and he didn’t make it on the 40 man September roster for the Reds.

Billy Hamilton’s Inside the Park HR:

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Confessions Of A Ball Park Chaser: 2013 Edition

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Friday Apr.05/2013

Chuck and Cat at Angel Stadium after driving all night from San Francisco

Cat and I at Angel Stadium after driving all night from San Francisco.  We drove by or watched a game in all 5 California Parks.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Last year at this time, I was embarking on an all 30 MLB Park Trip in just 20 Calendar Days.  I was attempting to best my own World Record of 30 MLB Parks in 24 Calendar Days in 2009.  I managed to put forth a 30 – 23 Record Streak, plus than celebrate with attending another 6 games the next week.  You can read about that here.

I initially planned to do a similar trip this year – however I decided to invest my baseball time and money into this website instead.  It is a choice I have wondered about for the last 4 months.

Last Sunday I boarded a flight from Seattle to Oakland – and then proceeded to hit Oakland, San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles.  The whole purpose of the trip was to witness the Season Opener at Dodger Stadium on April Fools Day.

Dodger Stadium Opening Ceremonies:

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 5, 2013

Israelite-House-of-David

Facial hair is the focus of today’s Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

The big beards and messy hair on many of the players today will be a symbol for baseball in the 2010’s. Let’s appreciate them and be nostalgic for them now!

It is like a return to the House of David!

And with Chris Davis, Andy Pettitte, Cliff Lee and Shin-Soo Choo owning baseball last night, they all join the list of previous players who owned baseball.

Let’s update the tally.

 

Players who owned baseball for the Day

Clay Buchholz – 1

Madison Bumgarner – 1

Yu Darvish – 1

Jacoby Ellsbury – 1

Carlos Gonzalez – 1

Gio Gonzalez – 1

Bryce Harper – 1

Felix Hernandez – 1

Adam Jones – 1

Clayton Kershaw – 1

Jed Lowrie – 1

Justin Maxwell – 1

Bud Norris – 1

Gerardo Parra – 1

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Nate Freiman: Beane Finds Yet Another Hidden Gem… And The A’s Next 1st Baseman

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Friday April 5th, 2013

All Nate Freiman did was carry the Country of Israel during the recent World Baseball Classic Qualifying Tournament. Can this First Base giant do the same in Oakland?

All Nate Freiman did was carry the Country of Israel during the recent World Baseball Classic Qualifying Tournament. Can this First Base giant do the same in Oakland?

Jonathan Hacohen  (Lead Baseball Columnist, Oakland A’s Correspondent and Website Founder):  

Baseball is a funny game sometimes. One minute you’re crying the Chris Carter blues. Then before you  know it, Nate Freiman appears. That is how Billy Beane works my friends. Just when you think he might be slipping, he pulls a magic rabbit out of his hat (better known as the waiver wire in baseball terms). 

On February 11, 2013, I wrote an article outlining Billy Beane’s error in trading Chris Carter. While I have always endorsed the talents of Jed Lowrie, it was my opinion that giving up a future star in Chris Carter was too high of a price to pay.

The trade (which actually took place on February 4th) saw the Astros acquire yet another stud First Base prospect. I wondered out loud what the Astros would do with all their First Base talent (Brett Wallace, Jonathan Singleton, Nate Freiman and veteran Carlos Pena).

It seemed like too many bats and not enough positions in Houston, despite the newfound need for a Designated Hitter. A little over a month later, March 23rd to be exact- I had my answer. Nate Freiman was on his way to Oakland.

The star for Israel in this year’s World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament was going to get the opportunity of a lifetime.

While some felt the A’s were simply acquiring roster depth, I saw a different vision. The A’s had their replacement for Brandon Moss at First Base.

Billy Beane had an uncovered yet another gem that was going to thrive in Oakland. Remember Josh Reddick 2012? Meet Nate Freiman 2013.  

Nate Freiman Interview:

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