Local report: Reds' hot prospect expected to play for Blaze
| Friday, Feb 03 2012 10:51 PM
Last Updated Friday, Feb 03 2012 11:15 PM
Billy Hamilton, a shortstop ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Cincinnati Reds' organization in the 2012 Baseball Prospect Book, is expected to be assigned to the Bakersfield Blaza, the Reds' High-A minor league team.
That's according to Redlegs Review, a web-based provider of daily content about the Cincinnati Reds.
Hamilton stole 103 bases last season for Dayton in the Midwest League and was named the Reds' Minor League Player of the Year. He was a second-round draft pick by the Reds in 2009.
Prospect book author John Sickles gives "grades" to each team's prospects and he has assigned Hamilton a B+.
"Ridiculously fast and he uses that speed well," Sickles said in his summary. "Lacks power and strikes out a lot, but I remain optimistic that his hitting skills will improve and thus the grade. Might end up at second base."
Prospects graded "A" are elite with a chance to be stars or superstars. Grade B prospects "have a good chance to enjoy successful careers.
"Some will develop into stars, some will not. Most end up spending several years in the majors, at the very least in a marginal role," Sickles said.
Hamilton, who's 6-foot-1 and 160 pounds, is 21. He battd .278 with three home runs, nine triples and 133 strikeouts in 135 games at Dayton. He stole 48 bases in 69 games for Billings, Mont., in the Pioneer League in 2010.
He is ranked No. 34 on the MLB.com's Prospect Watch.
The Reds' top prospect is Devin Mesoraco, who is projected to be Cincinnati's starting catcher this season.
Golf: Shah near lead
Centennial High School graduate Manav Shah shot a 1-under par 71 and is in second place, one shot behind the leader at the Jones Cup Invitational at Sea Island Ga., one of the top amateur tournaments in the country.
Shah had two birdies and two bogeys on the par-72, 7,321-yard Ocean Forest Golf Club course.
The leader is Curtis Thompson from Coral Springs, Fla., who had a 2-under 70.
Only one golfer shot par: Justin Thomas of Goshen, Ky., who had a 72 and is in third place.
Shah, who played at the University of San Diego as a freshman last season, has transferred to UCLA where he is redshirting this season.
The Jones Cup Invitational is a "category A" tournament in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, meaning it is one of the top 30 men's amateur tournaments in the world.
NBA D-League
The Jam will appear on the social reality show "But United Presents: The Big Time" today at 2 p.m. on ABC affiliates, Channel 23 locally.
The show features young adults from around the world competing to fulfil their dreams revolving around sports and entertainment.
Each episode features three fans competing for their shot at lving out their dream, coached and mentored by pros.
The basketball episode is scheduled for today. A.C. Green of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jam coach Will Voigt will be mentoring three basketball athletes.
JC baseball
TAFT-- Taft College had a rocky start to its season, losing both games of a double-header to Feather River College.
The Cougars lost the opener 7-2 despite a strong start by Allan Sanchez, who gave up just one earned run, struck out nine and walked none over six innings.
Taft lost 4-3 in game 2. Jay Huggins went 2-4 with an RBI for Taft.
The teams play again today at 1 p.m.
