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Cubs minor-league OF Billy Hamilton
Over the course of this season, the Cubs have shown they are not afraid to run. They are third in MLB with 154 steals and with just 34 times caught on the ledger, they’ve been the second-most efficient team at it, with an 81.9% success rate.
Still, with the Cubs now ensured a spot in the playoffs, it is easy to imagine that there will be times in October in which manager Craig Counsell might find himself in need of a quick steal. That’s why, last month, the Cubs took the subtle step of signing outfielder Billy Hamilton to a minor-league deal.
That came despite the fact that Hamilton has not played in the big leagues since May of 2023, when he was waived by the White Sox after three appearances. While Hamilton was never enough of a hitter to stick in the big-leagues, for a stretch of seasons from 2014-17, he stole 56, 57, 58 and 59 bases. He never quite got to 60, but he showed impressive speed nonetheless.
Billy Hamilton Ready for ‘Whatever They Need’
Now, the Cubs have Hamilton sharpening up his legs with Triple-A Iowa in advance of what is likely to be a call-up for the playoffs. Hamilton lodged a caught stealing for the first time on Wednesday, but he started 3-for-3 in steals with Iowa.
The Cubs have made plain their intentions with Hamilton. At age 35, he’s strictly in the organization as a runner. He has not had a plate appearance in four games with the team.
Hamilton had been playing for Jalisco in Mexico this summer when the Cubs first initiated contact. He was 7-for-8 in steal chances there, but said he could be big-league ready in a short time. So the Cubs brought him to Iowa.
“I’m here trying to get ready and prepare for whatever they need me for or whenever they need me,” Hamilton said, via the Des Moines Register.
Cubs Getting Playoff Roster Ready
Of course, there’s no certainty that the Cubs would have a roster spot for Hamilton when the playoffs come around. The Cubs have only 26 spots, but can change the roster–drawing on the 40-man roster–from series to series. Certainly for the opening wild-card series, which will only be three games at most, the Cubs could leave out a starting pitcher and keep Hamilton aboard.
If he is called upon, Hamilton will surely see it as a validation of his choice to stay in baseball even after MLB teams stopped wanting him. He has played in Mexico the last two years.
“My goal is to go until I can’t go anymore,” Hamilton said. “So that’s why (I was) in Mexico to try to get myself back here to get a couple more years to get 10 years in the major leagues. That’s been my goal. I’m going to play as long as I can until I reach my goal.
Hamilton said that should Counsell call upon him as a runner, he should not worry about the speed being there. He still has his wheels.
“Fast enough,” Hamilton said with a smile. “Fast enough to do what I’ve got to do. Fast enough to get the job done.”
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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