I question if you really saw Josh play in High School because if you did, you would no way say that Justin Upton was a more talented player. Just a few points to consider - Hamilton was clocked in the upper 90's as a LH pitcher in HS and could have been taken as the #1 pick as a pitcher but his overall talents were so far off the board as a position player, he was instead taken $1 as an outfielder.
At 6'4", no one was faster or could hit a ball farther than Josh. While he's had troubles off the field, Josh Hamilton had Micky Mantle talent coming out of HS. Upton is not even in his league!!
Just recently, the GM for the Reds witnessed Josh launching 500' bombs in Spring Training and saw him throw a ball from the center field wall (401' away) to home plate in the air -
Posts: 74 | Location: USA | Registered: July 27, 2004
Hamilton was the most talented HS baseball player I have ever seen play. (Period) Hands down! At 6'4 and 210 lbs he ran a 6.6 60 - Threw 94 from the Left side from the hill - Could run it down in the outfield like a deer - And had an absolute gun from the outfield - I saw him throw a baseball from the fence at the Greensboro Bats stadium in the NC State Games on a head high line to second base. Hamilton was such a good hitter that they never considered putting this LHP that threw mid 90's on the bump at the pro level. He could flat out hit. Power for days to all fields and hit for average as well. The guy was an absolute man at 17 years old. Hamilton has some problems or has and that is an understatement. I hope he has it together for his sake and his families. But this guy was blessed with the total package and was the most gifted player I have ever seen.
Agree 100% with your description of Josh. The only thing I will add is that I saw him light up the gun at 97mph in a game his senior year. Only about 30 scouts in attendance at that game. He was a freak!!!
Posts: 74 | Location: USA | Registered: July 27, 2004
Another thing that some people dont know about him. Before he left for pro ball and had his troubles everything about this kid was all american. He was the most polite and respectfull kid you would want to meet. I remember the scouts talking about how after he pitched he would sit out the rest of the game. During this time he would shag all the foul balls because the other guys on the bench always had to do it. I just wanted people to know that he was a great kid in HS that just got caught up in some bad things when we went away from home. I really hope Josh does well and wish him the best.
I question if you really saw Josh play in High School because if you did, you would no way say that Justin Upton was a more talented player. Just a few points to consider - Hamilton was clocked in the upper 90's as a LH pitcher in HS and could have been taken as the #1 pick as a pitcher but his overall talents were so far off the board as a position player, he was instead taken $1 as an outfielder.
At 6'4", no one was faster or could hit a ball farther than Josh. While he's had troubles off the field, Josh Hamilton had Micky Mantle talent coming out of HS. Upton is not even in his league!!
Just recently, the GM for the Reds witnessed Josh launching 500' bombs in Spring Training and saw him throw a ball from the center field wall (401' away) to home plate in the air -
You are obviously entitled to your opinion.
Upton ran a 6.2 60 and hit 94 off the mound although he never even pitched in HS with a 6'2" 190 frame. He was (and still is) a 5 tool SS in HS.
Posts: 3368 | Location: VB, VA | Registered: December 26, 2002
Don't look now, but Josh Hamilton homered in his first spring training game and is hitting .562 thru the first five games. The Reds look like a good fit for Josh, with manager and NC native, Jerry Narron taking a personal interest in him. Josh played for Jerry's brother, Johnny when he was 15 so there is some prior history. Under rule 5 draft rules, Josh will have to stay up with the major league team all season or be returned to the Devil Rays.
Posts: 93 | Location: United States | Registered: January 20, 2003
I had to smile when I saw that Baseball America has listed Josh Hamilton as one of the top 20 Rookies of 2007. It's a subscription site so I won't disclose more, but will just say, "way to go, Josh."
Posts: 135 | Location: NC | Registered: December 22, 2005
Josh Hamilton had a good year with Cincy. He showed good power and had several assists from the OF. He did, however, have at least two stints on the DL. Hopefully he can remain healthy in '08.
Posts: 37 | Location: kingston,tn,usa | Registered: November 20, 2003
The only thing Mantle and Hamilton had in common was substance abuse issues, Mantle acknowledging his alcoholism before his death. As great a player that Mantle was, and he was truely great, I've often wondered what kind of numbers he would have put up had he taken proper care of himself.
Posts: 37 | Location: kingston,tn,usa | Registered: November 20, 2003
I stand by my statement that coming out of high school Josh Hamilton had Mickey Mantle talent. Understand that I said out of high school - heck Josh probably had more talent coming out of high school.
Josh made some mistakes that almost cost him his career but to discount his enormous talent simply shows that either you never saw him play or you have no eye for talent.
Micky Mantle was one of the greatest players to ever play the game and I am not saying that Josh will ever come close to achieving what Micky did during his career. It would be interesting however to see if Micky could go 3+ years without playing (at all) and still put up the numbers Josh did this year at the Major League level.
I do not in anyway advocate the choices Josh made and he has done a disservice to the game that has been so good to him but the kid did have unbelievable talent as an 18 year old.
Posts: 74 | Location: USA | Registered: July 27, 2004
Its hard for people to understand statements made about Josh that never saw him play in HS. I did see him play. He was the most amazing player I have ever seen play in a HS baseball game. He was absolutely gifted in every phase of the game. Tremendous speed. He was mid 90's from the left side off the bump. He hit shots with the bat that were simply ridiculous. Physically he was a full grown man at 17 years old. He looked like a major league player at 17. He was so gifted that he was capable of still making it to the show after all he put himself through. I will not and can not compare him to Mickey. Im not old enough to say I saw the Mick play in HS. I did get the chance to see him once late in his career. But I can say that Josh Hamilton was the greatest HS baseball talent and player I have ever seen play. And its not even close. That includes all the kids I have seen at East Cobb , Jupiter and every national showcase event I have ever attended. It still is not even close. Oh what might have been. That is all I can say.
Coach May- A lot of people have a lot of nice things to say about you on this board. I know why. You have stayed true to your opinions and observations with regard to Josh Hamilton throughout this thread. I really respect that.
During the world series while watching Josh Beckett, another Josh popped in to my head. I turned to my son and said that I had remembered an article in SI something like "A Tale of Two Joshs'" or close to that anyway, I said who was the other Josh and he reminded me it was Hamilton and we had a great conversation about him. Son had been following his progress on coming back and we both agreed that we were pulling for him to make it. Maybe the best is yet to come for Josh Hamilton.
Posts: 873 | Location: nor cali | Registered: September 03, 2007
Durham — Cincinnati Reds rookie outfielder and Raleigh native Josh Hamilton was home for the holidays and spent part of the time at the Durham Rescue Mission.
“On a day like this, where family is really important, to get together and have a meal for you and games for the kids and things like that, and just bring those families together is really important,” Hamilton said.
Before spending Thanksgiving with his family, Hamilton mingled with volunteers and other guests at the mission’s Thanksgiving feast for the poor.
To those battling drug addiction, Hamilton said hope is never lost.
The former Athens Drive High School standout has been an open book about his past drug addiction and recovery.
The Durham Rescue Mission plans to have Hamilton back in January to share his story.
Posts: 376 | Location: north carolina | Registered: January 08, 2007
Josh is spending his off-season doing some awesome things. He met with the youth group at our church a couple of weeks ago and spoke to the kids about his struggles and the changes God has brought to his life. Very powerful stuff.
Posts: 135 | Location: NC | Registered: December 22, 2005
