"I've always wanted to get drafted," Hamilton told The Tribune. "But I hadn't even thrown a pitch (for Triton) yet. I wasn't expecting anybody to call me."
Hamilton ended up turning the Cubs down that month and staying at Triton. Six months later, though, the Cubs tried again and Hamilton signed.
Hamilton went on to play eight seasons as a pro. But, in a career marred by injury, Hamilton made AAA, but not the bigs.
Hamilton's career began that year in 1983, taken by the Cubs in the second round of the June secondary draft out of Triton.
Hamilton started with the Cubs at rookie Pikeville and he did so roughly. He got into five games, starting four, and gave up nine runs in 13 innings. He took one of his two losses in late July.
He moved to single-A Quad City for 1984. He 5-7 over 18 starts, with a 2.81 ERA. He made the league's all-star team, according to his hometown Park Forest Star.
"I've been throwing the baseball pretty good," Hamilton told The Star that July. "Still having trouble with my pickoff motion to first base and walks. Too many walks. But I'm working on it."
Hamilton moved to single-A Winston-Salem for 1985. He went 11-10 there, with a 2.72 ERA. He then hit AA Pittsfield for 1986 and went 10-10.
Hamilton made AAA Iowa for 1987. In 26 outings, 17 starts, Hamilton turned in a 5.99 ERA. He played briefly in 1988 at single-A Peoria, then lost all of 1989 to injury.
Hamilton returned to the field in 1990 with the Angels at AA Midland. He then split 1991 with the Pirates between AA Carolina and AAA Buffalo. He went 7-7 between the two levels, with a 4.22 ERA to end his career.
- Chicago Tribune, May 4, 1983: Triton program helping major league baseball hopefuls' dreams take shape
- Park Forest Star, July 26, 1984: Rich Central's Hamilton impressive on Cubs' farm
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,759
Made the Majors:1,054-38.2%
Never Made Majors:1,705-61.8%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 441
10+ Seasons in the Minors:264
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