The Boston Red Sox began 2024 with Trevor Story as their starting shortstop. However, just one week in, he suffered a shoulder dislocation and was quickly ruled out for the foreseeable future. It was one of multiple injuries, including first baseman Triston Casas, that Boston has dealt with this campaign. Triple-A infielder David Hamilton was called up to try and fill Story’s void. Although things weren’t pretty to start, Hamilton began to put things together. And currently, Hamilton is on a dominant hot streak.
David Hamilton On Dominant Hot Streak
Entering the month of May, Hamilton was batting .211. He had just eight hits in 14 games. It seemed like Boston would have to look elsewhere for middle infield production. But Hamilton made the Red Sox organization change its mind. He did so in a way no one saw coming. Since that point, Hamilton has been nearly unstoppable. Starting on May 15, Hamilton embarked on a five-game hitting streak. His average rose from .200 to .250 in under a week. That was just the start of something special.
On May 17, Hamilton was batting .226. Over the next 24 games, Hamilton blossomed into one of the best hitters in baseball. It isn’t just one category he’s dominating in – it’s basically every statistic. Over the last four weeks, Hamilton leads all American League batters in stolen bases. He ranks in the top five in batting average and top ten in on-base percentage, slugging, and OPS. Against the best of the best, Hamilton can’t be stopped.
David Hamilton’s last 4 games:
2-for-4, steal
2-for-5, HR, double, steal
2-for-4, double
2-for-4, HRHamilton’s AL rankings since May 17 (24 games):
9 SB (1st)
.355 AVG (4th)
.395 OBP (10th)
.592 SLG (8th)
.987 OPS (7th)On the season, Hamilton is 13-for-14 in steal attempts.
— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) June 13, 2024
His first full breakout performance came on May 24 against the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite the loss, Hamilton had three hits, an RBI, and a double. It was just his third multi-knock contest of the season. He had another on May 31. At the end of the month, Hamilton was batting .281. That’s nearly 70 points higher than the start of May. Overall, he batted .333, slugged nearly .500, and struck out 11 times in 19 May appearances.
David Hamilton Keeps Chugging Into June
In 11 June matchups, Hamilton is still on fire. He had his first multi-hit game of the month on June 6 against the Chicago White Sox. He failed to record one the next game, but the unthinkable happened. Four straight games with two hits. He had nine hits throughout his last five games. Hamilton had a torrid previous week.
David Hamilton’s last 4 games:
2-for-4, steal
2-for-5, HR, double, steal
2-for-4, double
2-for-4, HR pic.twitter.com/xgHdahUTSx— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 13, 2024
In the last two games of Boston’s series against the White Sox, Hamilton went 4-9 with two runs, a double, and a home run. The following slate was much different, with the Red Sox playing the Philadelphia Phillies. Hamilton didn’t miss a beat and began the series with two more hits and another double. He smacked his fourth homer of the year in the second contest. Hamilton extended his hit streak to five in a series-deciding win on Thursday. Against Philadelphia, he went 5-13 with three runs, three RBI, a homer, and a double.
David Hamilton is literally the best hitter on the Red Sox.
pic.twitter.com/Dv4cAIDX9O— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) June 13, 2024
Over his last 30 games, Hamilton is batting .326 while posting a .889 OPS. He has 12 stolen bases, which is remarkably half of his 24 total strikeouts during the period. Hamilton has been a massive blessing for Boston in an important time of need. It’s been a while since the Red Sox have seen sustained production out of the shortstop spot. And although Hamilton still has a long way to go, he’s proven himself during a dominant hot streak over the past month.
Main Photo Credits: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
