Red Sox speedy infielder to see time in outfield next season
The Red Sox will look to become a little more versatile next season. While speaking with reporters at Fenway Fest in Boston, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said speedy infielder David Hamilton will see time in the outfield in 2025.
“Hammy, he’s going to play some outfield, too,” said Cora. “So that will be fun just to see him run around. We’re trying to get him as versatile as possible. He’s excited about it. We talked to him two weeks ago. He’s done it before in center field, and people are excited about that. So I want to see that.”
Hamilton has had some exposure to the outfield, playing 69 innings in centerfield in the minors, split between the Double-A and Triple-A Worcester.
WooSox manager Chad Tracy had a front-row seat in 2023 and a small part of 2024 penciling in Hamilton at the top of his lineup but also getting to see him play some outfield in games and work at it pregame with the coaching staff.
“We are very comfortable with him there.” Chad Tracy said on Hamilton to Beyond the Monster during the 2023 season. “Being able to put speed in center field is big. He has done a great job out there. We have to watch him as he navigates the field and isn’t too deep. If a ball goes up in the air in any direction, he will run it down. He is not incredibly experienced out there, but when you watch him play, it looks like he is very confident in his route running and knows what he is doing.”
The 27-year-old has been used exclusively at second base and shortstop while in the big leagues with the Red Sox. He made 10 errors between the two positions last season but saw an improvement at the dish in 2024.
Hamilton’s speed was a factor in 2024, where he stole 33 bases but saw his season end after he fractured his finger trying to lay down a bunt in late August. In total, he finished the season hitting .248 with a .303 on-base percentage and a .395 slugging percentage, with a .697 OPS with eight homers, 17 doubles, one triple, and 28 RBI with a 91 wRC+ in 98 games.
Cora has been impressed with Hamilton’s offseason work, noting that he’s in the “best shape of his life.” Hamilton and catcher Connor Wong recently worked out with Trevor Story down in Texas in December, and Story sent pictures of both players to his skipper on how they look ahead of spring training.
The young Sox infielder isn’t an everyday starter but has been a strong bench piece for Cora the last two years. If Hamilton wants to stay at the big league level, tapping into his speed and versatility will allow him to stick.
