Prospect Spotlight: David Hamilton

David Hamilton had no idea that a scooter would play a role in his baseball life, and not a good one. A mid-January 2019 accident with a motorized two-wheeler and a pothole resulted in a torn Achilles tendon, sidelining this important cog in the University of Texas Longhorns lineup. Hamilton had been a star for Texas and unfortunately, the accident ended his college baseball career.

Hamilton, aged 20 in 2018, played a big role in the Longhorns’ season, helping the team to a Big 12 Championship, and then a run in the College World Series, all the way to the Super Regional where they lost to Tennessee Tech. One of several top prospects on David Pierce’s Longhorns, Hamilton slashed .291/.404/.465 that season in 63 games, with 64 hits, 7 doubles, 6 triples, 5 home runs, 31 stolen bases, 43 walks, and only 40 strikeouts. He was expected to continue to contribute with Texas the following year, but that didn’t happen.

The 2B-SS was drafted in 2016 in the 28th round by the L.A. Angels out of San Marcos (TX) High School. Hamilton didn’t sign, opting instead to move a little north to Austin to play for Texas. His college career before the injury set him up to be a high draft pick - until the scooter accident prematurely ended his 2019 season and his tenure in the Longhorns lineup.

Even though he missed the year, the Milwaukee Brewers picked him in the 8th round of the June draft, expecting him to recover and live up to his potential. Now 23, Hamilton has yet to take a professional at bat, but with the promise of a new season in 2021, he should be ready to play again. He’s listed on the Carolina Mudcats, the Brewers Low-A affiliate. 

Watch this former high school and college standout; although he is not yet on the Brewers top prospects list, he could soon move up in the organization. 

2023 update: Hamilton was traded in December 2021 to the Red Sox, where he is now on their 40 man roster.

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