Brandon Hamilton Stats & Scouting Report

IP	190
ERA	5.258
WHIP	1.574
BB/9	5.4
SO/9	7.484

Full name Joey Brandon Hamilton
Born 12/25/1988 in Millbrook, AL
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Stanhope Elmore
Drafted in the C-A round (60th overall) by the Detroit Tigers in 2007 (signed for $540,000).

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Based on his mature, muscular body and electric stuff alone, Hamilton would be a first-rounder. But he has a violent delivery and erratic command and has performed poorly as often as he was spectacular as a senior. He could still be drafted as high as the second round based on his considerable ceiling. His fastball has been up to 95 mph and he pitches between 89-91. He shows a filthy, 80-82 mph power curveball with downer action. He has feel for a changeup, and at times will mix in a two-seam fastball that has plus armside fade, as well. But with more than 30 scouts in to see an early-season outing, Hamilton had no control of his breaking ball, leading to five wild pitches, and baserunners ran wild, as he showed no ability or desire to control the running game.

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The Tigers love Hamilton's power stuff and high ceiling, even if he struggled during his first full season as a pro. They gave the 2007 supplemental first-rounder the chance to start at low Class A in mid-May after he opened the year in extended spring training, but he overthrew and struggled with his control. He regained his footing after a demotion to the Gulf Coast League, and by the end of instructional league, Hamilton had made progress with his secondary pitches. At this point, he has better command of his plus power curveball (82-83 mph) and changeup (79-80 mph) than his fastball. He has developed confidence in his changeup, which has sinking movement. Hamilton's four-seam fastball averages 91-92 mph and peaked at 96 in his final outing of the instructional league. He also has learned to blend in some two-seamers. His fastball command will have to improve in order for him to succeed at upper levels. He also needs to work on repeating his delivery, which has a lot of effort and moving parts. Hamilton has the raw ability to pitch in the major leagues and will get a second chance at low Class A this year.
The Tigers have rebuilt their franchise on power pitching, and Hamilton, their second pick in the 2007 draft fits the prototype. Detroit officials liked what they saw in his athleticism, durability and projectability, and signed him for $540,000 with the 60th overall pick, compensation for losing free agent Jamie Walker to Baltimore. Hamilton isn't as polished as 2007 first-rounder Rick Porcello but has the better curveball of the two. It's a power downer, and he throws it at 80-83 mph with hard, late, three-quarters break. He has shown an ability to repeat the curve and throw it for strikes, which bodes well for his long-term development. His fastball is an average pitch now, sitting in the low 90s, and more velocity should come. He has a strong, lean frame and clean mechanics. His changeup is promising but inconsistent, and his command is still below-average. The Tigers will take their time with Hamilton, but still may send him to low Class A as a 19-year-old.