David Hamilton has become a force for the Red Sox, and not just because of his speed - The Boston Globe (2024)

David Hamilton’s two-run homer in the eighth inning Monday not only played a huge part in the Red Sox’ comeback win, it also offered a glimpse into his development.

Hamilton has found his footing at the plate, becoming a force beyond just his speed. Consider that on May 4, the infielder’s OPS was just .592. But Hamilton’s OPS is up to .841, which includes a slash line of .282/.333/.449 with five home runs. He got the night off on Tuesday, when the Sox lost, 9-4, to the Blue Jays.

“It might be the work I’m doing in the cage,” said Hamilton Tuesday afternoon. “But I think every at-bat I’m just trying to hit a line drive.”

No doubt, Hamilton is at his best when he’s hitting line drives. But what led to his early struggles was his high ground-ball rate. In the first month of the season, Hamilton had a ground-ball rate of 41.7 percent. This month, however, Hamilton is hitting the ball on the ground at just a 24.5 percent clip, while his fly-ball percentage is up to 51 compared with 31.6 last month.

But it’s not just that Hamilton is hitting the ball in the air.

“He’s hitting it hard in the air,” said manager Alex Cora. “He made some adjustments as far as being straight to the ball. He’s shorter. You saw it yesterday with the [home run] he got to the four-seamer. Everything he’s hitting is hard. It’s on a line. He can go the other way. He’s on time. I think that’s the most important thing. He’s been fun to watch because this player from where he was in Anaheim [earlier this year] to now, he’s a different player. He’s very dynamic.”

A more refined Hamilton doesn’t try to initiate the move of hitting the ball in the air. That’s when the holes show up. Hamilton has first-hand experience.

In 2022 and ‘23, Hamilton had a significant number of infield popups. His swing became loopy as a result of him trying to create the move of getting the ball in the air.

Now, his direct path is paying dividends.

“I think that’s who I was growing up, just a line-drive hitter,” said Hamilton. “I would get ahold of a ball and it would go out. I kind of got away from that a little bit, and slowly I’m starting to get back to it. I’m just trying to be a little more direct, and it’s been showing up.”

Devers heating up

Rafael Devers pummeled his 16th home run of the season in the second inning on Tuesday, his second in as many days. The ball was estimated to have traveled 467 feet, the longest home run of his career.

“‘He’s understanding who he is in the lineup and that they’re going to pitch around him certain times,” said Cora. “He’s hunting for pitches in the middle of a zone. The good thing is that he’s taking his walks. I do believe he’s been able to catch up with the fastball and then drive it the other way.”

Devers finished 2 for 4 with a double and the homer. He has a .285/.368/.559 line with 16 homers.

Back in the swing

Triston Casas (right rib cage strain) underwent an MRI Tuesday. Following Tuesday’s loss, Cora said that Casas is expected to begin swinging this week. The team will have more details on Wednesday . . . Jarren Duran’s 14-game hitting streak was snapped after an 0 for 5 that included two strikeouts. Duran had the second-longest active streak in the AL heading into the game, behind the Rays’ Yandy Diaz (17 games). Connor Wong, who is on paternity leave, currently has a 13-game hitting streak . . . Liam Hendriks (Tommy John surgery) threw his first bullpen of the year on Tuesday . . . Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay threw out the first pitch . . . The Blue Jays reinstated shortstop Bo Bichette (calf) from the injured list . . . Red Sox infield prospect Yoelin Cespedes was promoted from the Florida Coast League to Single A Salem . . . The WooSox activated lefthander Joely Rodriguez.

Julian McWilliams can be reached at julian.mcwilliams@globe.com. Follow him @byJulianMack.