Ian Hamilton (baseball)

Ian Francis Hamilton (born June 16, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins.

Ian Hamilton
Hamilton with Washington State in 2015
New York Yankees – No. 71
Pitcher
Born: (1995-06-16) June 16, 1995 (age 28)
Dover, New Hampshire, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 31, 2018, for the Chicago White Sox
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record4–4
Earned run average3.10
Strikeouts78
Teams

Career edit

Amateur career edit

Hamilton attended Skyview High School in Vancouver, Washington, and Washington State University, where he played college baseball for the Washington State Cougars.[1] He was Washington State's closer his first two years before converting into a starting pitcher as a junior.[2][3] In 2015, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and was West division co-most valuable player of the league's all-star game alongside Devin Smeltzer.[4][5][6]

Chicago White Sox edit

The Chicago White Sox selected Hamilton in the 11th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft[7] and he signed. Hamilton made his professional debut with the Arizona League White Sox and after one game was promoted to the Kannapolis Intimidators, where he spent the remainder of the season, going 1–1 with a 3.69 ERA in 31+23 relief innings pitched. He pitched in 2017 for the Winston-Salem Dash and Birmingham Barons, pitching to a combined 4–6 record and 2.64 ERA in 44 relief appearances,[8] and started 2018 with Birmingham before being promoted to the Charlotte Knights.

Hamilton was promoted to the major leagues on August 31, 2018.[9] Hamilton opened the 2019 season on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, which stemmed from a minor car accident.[10] When he returned, he was optioned to Charlotte. On June 4, while sitting in Charlotte's dugout, Hamilton was struck in the face with a batted ball. Three teeth were knocked out of his mouth and he suffered multiple facial fractures, which required multiple surgeries to repair.[11] On June 28, the White Sox announced that Hamilton would miss the rest of the 2019 season.[12]

On September 18, 2020, Hamilton was designated for assignment by the White Sox.[13] Hamilton was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners on September 25,[14] and was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies on December 7.[15] On January 29, 2021, Hamilton was designated for assignment by the Phillies.[16]

Minnesota Twins edit

On February 5, 2021, the Minnesota Twins claimed Hamilton off waivers.[17] On February 12, 2021, Hamilton was designated for assignment following the signing of Alex Colomé.[18] He had his contract selected on June 3. He was returned to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints on June 6.

Cleveland Guardians edit

On August 2, 2022, the Twins traded Hamilton to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for Sandy León.[19] He spent the remainder of the season with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, but struggled to an 0–4 record and 6.27 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 18+23 innings pitched across 15 appearances for the team. Hamilton elected minor league free agency on November 10, 2022.

New York Yankees edit

On February 3, 2023, Hamilton signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization.[20] After not making the team in spring training, he was reassigned to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, and agreed to push the opt-out date in his contract to April 5.[21] The Yankees selected Hamilton’s contract on April 3.[22] He earned his first major league save on May 6.[23] Hamilton began the season with a 1.23 ERA in 20 innings pitched, with 30 strikeouts to nine walks, before he went on the injured list due to a strained right groin muscle on May 17.[24]

References edit

  1. ^ "Skyview's Hamilton is All-Region baseball player of year". The Columbian. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  2. ^ "WSU's Ian Hamilton steps from closer to Friday night ace | The Spokesman-Review". Spokesman.com. February 18, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  3. ^ Nick Friar Contributing Writer. "Cape Cod League: Washington State's Ian Hamilton making a new start for Wareham Gatemen – Sports – southcoasttoday.com – New Bedford, MA". southcoasttoday.com. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  4. ^ "#44 Ian Hamilton". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "Standout night for West co-MVPs Smeltzer, Hamilton". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  6. ^ "Standout night for West co-MVPs Smeltzer, Hamilton". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  7. ^ Merkin, Scott. "Ian Hamilton could be sleeper for White Sox". MLB.com. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  8. ^ "Ian Hamilton Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  9. ^ Luca, Chris De (August 31, 2018). "White Sox promote reliever Ian Hamilton after trading Xavier Cedeño to Brewers". Chicago Sun-Times.
  10. ^ Scott Merkin (March 11, 2019). "Hamilton has minor setback with shoulder". MLB.com. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  11. ^ https://www.nj.com/yankees/2023/03/yankees-ian-hamilton-overcomes-jaw-shattering-misery-to-make-run-at-bullpen-spot.html
  12. ^ "Burr, Hamilton Among White Sox Done for Season". nbcchicago.com. NBC 5 Chicago. June 28, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  13. ^ "White Sox Promote Garrett Crochet". MLB Trade Rumors.
  14. ^ "Mariners Claim Ian Hamilton". MLB Trade Rumors.
  15. ^ "Phillies Claim Ian Hamilton From Mariners". MLB Trade Rumors.
  16. ^ "Phillies Designate Ian Hamilton For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors.
  17. ^ "Twins Claim Ian Hamilton". MLB Trade Rumors.
  18. ^ "Twins Officially Sign Alex Colome, Designate Ian Hamilton". MLB Trade Rumors.
  19. ^ Ruane, Blake. "Guardians trade Sandy León to Twins in exchange for Ian Hamilton". CoveringTheCorner.com.
  20. ^ "Yankees' Ian Hamilton: Agrees to minor league deall". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  21. ^ "Yankees' Ian Hamilton: Headed to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  22. ^ "Yankees' Ian Hamilton: Contract selected". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  23. ^ https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-ian-hamilton-earns-first-save
  24. ^ https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-injuries-and-roster-moves

External links edit