Chicago White Sox: 3 players that could fill in for Luis Robert

Billy Hamilton 

Billy Hamilton’s speed might be able to help the Chicago White Sox while Robert is out.

Outside of Garcia, Billy Hamilton is the most capable defensive outfielder the White Sox have left. Tony La Russa has loved to deploy Hamilton late in games as a defensive substitute and a pinch-runner late in games.  He showed off his arm with an impressive assist in a game against the Texas Rangers on April 24th.

The throw saved a run late in the game and preserved the White Sox lead at the time. Hamilton is blazing fast as evident by his 307 career stolen bases. He has also already appeared in two games at centerfield this season. The range will not be a problem for him but making up for Luis Robert’s presence in the lineup might be.

Hamilton owns a career .241 batting average and is only hitting .176 on the season. In his last 25 plate appearances, he only has four hits. He was also on the 10-day injured list, earlier in the season. Hamilton sustained a strained left hamstring while running the bases during the fifth inning of Chicago’s 8-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners on April 7. He was placed on the injured list the following day.

Seeing that Hamilton is already not known for his prowess at the plate it is unfair to ask him to shoulder the offensive load. However, he needs to step up at the plate in Robert’s absence otherwise the White Sox could be in trouble if they opt to go with him as their everyday replacement.