Billy Hamilton steals first career base off of Yadier Molina

Cincinnati Reds prospect Billy Hamilton is fast – really fast. He's probably the fastest man in baseball today. He was a September call-up by the Reds, and got into Tuesday night's game with the Cardinals as a pinch runner in the seventh inning.

Hamilton, who stole 155 bases last year at an 80.7% clip and stole "just" 75 bases this year at an 83% clip, came in to run for Ryan Ludwick with the game scoreless. With Seth Maness on the hill and Yadier Molina, the best catcher in baseball at preventing the running game, behind the plate, it would be difficult for Hamilton to swipe second.

But hey, this is what makes baseball great. You have the fastest baserunner in baseball in Hamilton and the best defensive catcher in Molina, and they're going to square off and go toe to toe. On Maness' first pitch, Hamilton bolted towards second. Molina had no shot, and Hamilton's foot was already on the bag as second baseman Kolten Wong was swiping his glove towards him. Todd Frazier followed up with a double (not that he needed to) to bring Hamilton home with the game's first, and only, run. Hamilton may not be the best prospect in baseball, but he possesses a skill that you cannot teach, one that could give the Reds a huge advantage over other teams in October.

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.

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