Josh Hamilton
To answer everyone’s favorite question about the rankings…
Josh Hamilton entered 2008 with 1.398 at-bats in nine years as a professional. The first overall pick in the 1999 draft missed time in 2000 with a knee injury, in 2001 with back, quad and hamstring injuries and in 2002 with shoulder and elbow injuries that required surgery. In spring 2003, he missed time with a hip injury before his leave of absence kicked in. After returning 3 ½ years later, he lasted 15 games before requiring knee surgery. In 2007, he went on the DL twice (gastroenteritis, sprained wrist) and would have been put there a third time in September with a strained hamstring if not for the expanded rosters.
Even discounting the drug issues, this is a player who has displayed absolutely no ability to stay healthy. I’m not arguing against his talent, but I can’t see putting him in the top 10 until he shows he can play in 150 games.
Comments
Just keep watching the MLB Extra Innings package and continue to read the team blogs in the newspapers. No need to do your position rankings. They're a joke. Just update us on what you're seeing. You don't even need to add your comments. If you absolutely must add something of your own make it something like 'Clement will be recalled after spending 20 consecutive days in the minors. Which would allow the M's to control him for that additional year they would have lost for calling him up a week early.' Anything short of that and we really don't need to hear about it.
Posted by: Juan Pierre | June 12, 2008 12:11 AM