PHOENIX – Surprised, yes. Shellshocked, perhaps.
About two weeks ago David Hamilton found himself traversing the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse at American Family Fields of Phoenix, trying to put names to faces while digesting the unexpected trade that sent him back to the organization that initially drafted him in the eighth round out of the University of Texas in 2019.
Fast-forward to today with Cactus League play now underway and some familiarity with his new teammates, coaches, support staff members and environs, and the 28-year-old finds himself in a much better place, even though it’ll probably still be a while before he is feeling 100% comfortable.
“I guess I don’t really know what I was feeling in that time [immediately following the trade]. I still kind of don’t know,” Hamilton said. “I think it’s a good opportunity. I like it here, like the guys, like the coaches. Nothing against Boston, but I’m happy to be here.
“It’s part of the business. I feel like in this lifestyle, you kind of expect the unexpected. You don’t really expect to be traded, but it’s part of it. At the end of the day it’s the same thing, just with another team at another place.
“I’m excited.”
To call the Feb. 9 swap of Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler to the Red Sox for Hamilton and left-handers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan a surprise would be putting it mildly considering how good Durbin was last season for the Brewers and the fact Milwaukee had virtually no infield depth in the aftermath.
But things began to make sense soon thereafter.
Hamilton, in essence, was envisioned as a more dynamic and talented Monasterio even though his experience at third base was nil (1⅓ inning for his career, logged in 2025). He’d carved out a niche as a reliable middle infielder in Boston since breaking into the majors in 2023, accounting for 14 defensive runs saved across all three positions.
Then, one week after the trade, veteran free agent Luis Rengifo signed a one-year deal to give the Brewers their primary replacement for Durbin at third base in 2026.
“I see David as a weapon in that spot. We just we have to learn him, right?” said third base and infield coach Matt Erickson. “We have to see how he’s going to experience [third base]. Very excited about the physical attributes that he brings to that position.
“But the comfort level of putting Mona [Monasterio] at all those positions from a defensive standpoint, and not losing a whole lot and expecting him to make plays, that’s what we want to get to with David.”
Added Hamilton: “They want me to play wherever is open to play, all around the infield, be on base and use my speed.
“I’m just trying to be on the field, you know? So, wherever the coaches see me, that’s where I’m going to play. I just want to be on the field and win some ballgames.”
Hamilton played just one season with Milwaukee initially, reaching as high as Class AA Biloxi in 2021, before being sent to Boston along with fellow minor-leaguer Alex Binelas and Jackie Bradley Jr. in a trade that brought outfielder Hunter Renfroe to Milwaukee.
After a 15-game trial with the Red Sox in 2023, Hamilton was pressed into his first serious action in 2024 when starting shortstop Trevor Story busted up his shoulder and underwent surgery in April.
Hamilton played 98 games that season and accounted for a solid 2.6 wins above replacement by hitting .248 with eight home runs, 28 runs batted in and an on-base plus slugging percentage of .697. He also went 27 for 33 in stolen base attempts and accounted for an impressive eight defensive runs saved in just 39 games at second base.
Last season was more of a struggle, as Hamilton managed a .198/6/19/.590 line with 22 stolen bases in 91 games.
Now with Milwaukee, Hamilton’s versatility, speed (95th percentile, 32nd-best overall in the majors) and left-handed bat all fit his new team to a T.
“I just think there’s so much untapped [potential] in there,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said.
With Brice Turang locked in at second base and Joey Ortiz the shortstop – at least to open the season, assuming he can straighten out 2025’s hitting woes – Hamilton is getting a crash course at third at the behest of the Brewers.
He entered Feb. 26 with the most starts (three) and innings (17) there and doing the best he can to get up to speed quickly.
“I’ve been taking 80% of my reps at third base, just trying to get as comfortable as I can,” he said. “It’s kind of the same as other positions, but in the game, it’s definitely a little bit different, I feel like everything’s hit 1,000 miles an hour at me.
“So, yeah, it’s just taking a little bit to get used to that and seeing the ball off the bat.”
Coming into 2026, Hamilton had seen the most time in the majors at second base (679⅓ innings) with shortstop not far behind (591⅔). And while his throwing arm rates well below average according to the metrics (37th percentile), his athleticism can prove to be a valuable weapon.
“I think there’s a mental hurdle to be overcome when it comes to moving from shortstop to third base,” Erickson said. “I think you saw that Joey Ortiz did it pretty seamlessly. Second base, shortstop are much more lateral positions. That’s what David Hamilton excels at – his metrics laterally are off the charts.
“But you don’t use a ton of that [at third], right? So, you’re immediately taking away what he does the best. We’ve got to find out how good is he going front to back, creating space and being able to catch the ball one-handed. At third, you’ve got to be willing and able to catch the ball in awkward positions.
“There’s a lot of coming in, plays made bare hand versus two hands versus one hand, but I think he’s athletic enough to be able to make. It’s just getting him the reps to where he’s comfortable.”
As to Hamilton’s arm, Erickson notes Hamilton’s throwing style might actually benefit him even if he doesn’t possess a cannon.
“He has a unique arm slot and he’s able to throw from different arm slots, which is great, because you have to do that from every position in the infield,” he said. “His arm accuracy, I’m not so concerned about. Learning those different fielding positions and then the arm accuracy is something that you have to go through some reps for.
“The initial conversations have been had. Now, it’s about getting the reps.”
Having worked with plenty of infielders over the years, Erickson is confident Hamilton will be able to make the adjustment – just as he’s making the adjustment to his new surroundings.
“He doesn’t have the comfort level yet,” said Erickson, “but hopefully we’re going to get him there soon.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: David Hamilton settling in – both with Brewers and at a new position
Reporting by Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
