10 Reasons the Cincinnati Reds Will Regret Not Calling Up Billy Hamilton

The 2012 Minor League Baseball season can be summed up by one word—speed. Two players broke the century mark in stolen bases this year, but one of them went on an unworldly tear—ripping apart and shredding 1-2 punches. Billy Hamilton terrorized and fascinated opponents at the same time with his blazing speed.

With all due respect to Delino DeShields, Jr., who stole an amazing 101 bases in 120 chances in 135 games, it was the thefts of Billy Hamilton that captivated the baseball nation. Hamilton ended the season with an incredible 155 thefts in 132 games. That is a whopping 54 more bases than DeShields' amazing total and blew by the previous all-time professional stolen base record of 145.

With Billy Hamilton having such a remarkable season offensively why did the Cincinnati Reds choose to pass on calling him up once the rosters expanded?

This question is a matter that has been debated by Reds fans and baseball analysts alike and is an article in itself. But let's take a different approach at discussing Hamilton's non-call-up—let's look at why the Reds may regret not adding him to the roster.

On Base Abilities Part 1—He Can Hit

Ladies and gentleman, Billy Hamilton knows how to hit. Do not mistake Hamilton as a guy that relies only on his speed to get on base—the kid can hit and his .311 batting average and 14 triples can attest to that.

Hamilton is a switch-hitter that has more line-drive pop than most think. He has great bat control and has above average plate discipline which leads me to my next point...

On Base Abilities Part 2—Free Pass Abilities

Billy Hamilton's plate discipline led to a .410 on-base percentage and 86 walks this season. As Hamilton has continued to get comfortable from both sides of the plate his BB and SO percentages have continued to increase at each level.

Check out this stat. Hamilton's BB percentage was 8.5% in Low-A Ball, 12.8% at Advanced-A Ball, and 14.9% at Double-A. He is a lead-off hitter and he knows his role.

Couldn't the Reds use a lead-off hitter that understands the role even if only for a couple games a week?

Pinch Hit Abilities

When you absolutely need someone on base you look to someone who can do more than just hit. Billy Hamilton hits, walks, and creates errors by the defense.

His speed is so blazing that defenses are forced to rush their throws to first on average ground balls and this creates more opportunities to get on base via errors. Did I also mention that this dude can bunt?

Backup Infielder

The Reds don't really have a true backup infielder. With Zack Cozart currently out who would you rather see playing, Wilson Valdez and his .201 batting average or Billy Hamilton and his blazing speed?

That's what I thought. Granted he isn't yet polished on the field, but his athletic abilities allow him to make tremendous plays that you won't see Valdez making.

Pinch Run Abilities

The pinch running options would be endless for Billy Hamilton and the Reds. Not only can the kid run but he is a smart base runner and he understands his abilities. Hamilton will push the limit, but he doesn't get thrown out much while running the bases.

On multiple occasions he scored from second base on a sac fly to the outfield—that's crazy. The speed definitely helps, but if speed were the only factor you would see more speedsters doing it and you don't.

Baseball smarts, timing skills, and judgement factor into the equation just as much as speed, and Hamilton possesses them all.

The Wow Factor

Billy Hamilton stole 155 bases people. I am not sure everyone fully grasps the craziness of that feat. His video game-like stats bring a certain wow factor with them.

He gets inside an opponent's heads simply because of this wow factor. Pitchers and catchers may publicly see him as a welcomed challenge, but deep down they fear it.

Let's be honest here, how could you not fear this wow factor?

Threat of Coming off the Bench.

Even if Billy Hamilton was called up he would most likely spend the majority of his time on the bench. None-the-less, could you imagine being the manager in the other dugout when the late innings role around. When the Reds need a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner, or (dare I say it) a game changer, there sits a man who can play the role of all three.

Did I just call Hamilton a game changer? Yes I did, keep reading...

Game Changing Abilities

Billy Hamilton is a game changer. He affects how the pitcher approaches each pitch, he affects the catcher's thoughts, he drives the infield nuts as he bops around the base, and managers fear true speed and talent on the basepaths.

During crucial game situations, Hamilton changes how defenses play when he's at bat and how managers and catchers determine pitch selection when he is on base.

You heard it hear folks—Billy Hamilton is a game changer. Game changing abilities like that make huge impacts during playoff runs.

The Fan Factor

Fans would flock to see the "Man of Steal" each and every night. The Reds have put up great attendance numbers all season, but Hamilton could have improved upon that even more.

The national spotlight has been on the Reds' future star all season and what a better time to capitalize? The Reds are in the playoff hunt and Hamilton just broke the stolen base record—talk about excitement stacked upon excitement—it doesn't get much more exciting.

Drew Stubbs Could Finally Have a Mentor

Drew Stubbs seems to be on the bench more than he is used to of late. It's possible that the "semi-veteran" needs a professional mentor that can show him how to get the best out of his speed.

Drew Stubbs could take out a pen and paper and write a novel on how much better Billy Hamilton uses his speed than he himself does. Maybe he should start taking some Cliff Notes.

Though you may sense some sarcasm here, the truth is that Drew Stubbs could actually learn from the rookie. And with Hamilton looking to take away playing time from Stubbs in the future, Stubbs may be best suited to actually pay attention to what the kid is doing right.

Let's Sum It All Up

The Reds may have passed on Billy Hamilton this season, but he has all but secured a spot for himself on the roster at some point next season. It's too early and too hard to really tell if the Reds made a mistake by not taking advantage of Hamilton's amazing skills during this season's playoff run.

One thing is for sure though—it's not too early to tell that Billy Hamilton is going to be an impact player. The kid is a stud and it's going to be great day in Cincinnati when he finally puts on a Reds uniform.

You can follow Josh Ramsey on Twitter @JRamCincy