I think it depends on what you're looking for. Do you want to see potential in the players or what they actually become? I don't necessarily believe that the faster a player gets to the majors defines how good they are. Some will need more time to figure things out. All of these top five lists, for better or worse, really mean nothing. It's all just guesswork.

your not very smart when it comes to baseball are ya?

MikeyD is actually very astute. After you have been around the board awhile he will grow on you like a third thumb.

I admit I'm guessing. I just don't think you can predict much without a couple seasons of minor league stats.

I am certain we see Donnie Joseph in a Reds uniform in September.

I predict that within three or four years many of these same fans who are trumpeting Hamilton as the Next Great Thing will change their tune just as they did when Homer Bailey failed to live up to the unmatchable expectations thrust upon him.

You'll have forgotten about "Bailey Boy" and you'll be condemning "Billy Boy".

I'm trying to prevent that by managing expectations down to a level he might actually be able to reach.

If Billy Hamilton makes it as a Major Leaguer, he will owe me a huge debt of gratitude.

Also, by focusing so much attention on Billy Boy, fans miss out on the FACT that the organization has some other pretty interesting prospects. Wright, Lamarre, and Gelalich are solid prospects with more tools than Hamilton. Their games are more well rounded. While they all lack the one ++ tool Hamilton has, their games are far more similar to other players who have actually had success in the majors.

Name me one player who has had great success in the bigs when his only tool was speed.

Sanders was a MAN. Hamilton has the body of a fourteen year old boy. Sanders wasn't huge, but he was powerful. If I remember correctly, he was about the same height as Hamilton but 30-40 pounds heavier. He was a leadoff hitter, but he could hit a HR for you, too. He was far toolsier than Hamilton.

I'd like to see Hamilton get up to around 195-205 where Sanders played. That's about where he needs to be. If he still has his speed once his body fills out (if it ever does), then we can move him up to AA.

I know he is, and I shouldn't of said that. Bad bad night and I shouldn't have got on here last night.

I apologize MikeyD!

Put your sorry in a sack. It will be a cold day in August when I get offended by something someone says on a message board.

I just like to disagree with the opinions of the majority. It helps the board avoid the group-think common to lesser boards like Redzone.