Kansas City Royals do the inevitable and reportedly sign Billy Hamilton

Was there ever a doubt that the Kansas City Royals would sign Billy Hamilton? That inevitability has reportedly happened.

If ever there was a player that encapsulated what the Kansas City Royals style of baseball over the past few years has been, it would be Billy Hamilton. When he was non tendered by the Cincinnati Reds, his signing appeared to be an inevitability, especially considering that the Royals had already attempted to trade for the outfielder once before. This time, they would only need to make a financial outlay in order to bring Hamilton to Kauffman Stadium.

That awaited signing appears to be imminent. According to Jim Bowden, the Royals are reportedly on the verge of signing the speedy outfielder, pending physicals.

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If there is one team in the game that will appreciate Hamilton’s skillset, it is the Royals. He has displayed incredible speed when on base, stealing 277 bases in his six year career. Hamilton has also been a brilliant defensive outfielder, with 50 runs saved in center, the most of any active center fielder in the game.

Yet, the question, as has always been the case, is whether or not Hamilton can get on base enough to make his speed the weapon it should be. He has a lifetime .245/.298/.333 batting line, but has seen his on base percentage dip below .300 in four of the past five years. Add in an uptick in strikeouts, and limited hard contact, and Hamilton does not provide much in the batter’s box.

That may not be the Royals primary focus. An outfield of Alex Gordon, Brett Phillips, and Hamilton may not provide much offense, but few fly balls should find the grass with that defense. It may not be quite the same outfield as what the Royals had in their run in the middle of the decade, but if Phillips can develop and Hamilton can start to get on base, it would be good enough.

The Kansas City Royals are reportedly on the cusp of signing Billy Hamilton to a contract. This signing was inevitable from the moment the Reds cut Hamilton loose.