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Hamilton brings extra edge to KC's outfield

Posted at 3:20 PM, Feb 20, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-20 16:20:38-05

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Playing center field at Kauffman Stadium comes with it's fare share of responsibilities. While there is plenty of depth in the outfield, the recently-acquired Billy Hamilton can't wait to patrol the grounds at the "K."

"You got a bunch of guys in the outfield that can go get the ball," Hamilton said. "We gonna have our pitchers' backs. That's one thing I'm going to tell them myself. If they hit them to center field, I got you. Whatever you do, I got your back throw strikes, we got your back this year."

Hamilton is using spring training to get to know his new neighbor in left field, Alex Gordon.

"Hopefully, we can develop a chemistry like me and Lo Cain did," said Gordon. "I know the balls that I need to get and he knows the balls he needs to get."

"It's definitely great when you got a guy with that many gold gloves," said Hamilton. "As a player like me who wants to get gold gloves, being next to him, I see what it's gonna take to get to that point. "

Manager Ned Yost thinks now is the perfect time for the two stars to get on the same page.

"That's what Spring Training is for, getting comfortable with the communication with each other. It's just like a sixth sense Gordo or Billy don't have to see one another to know where he is. The more they play out there the more comfortable they are going to be.

Hamilton signed a one year deal with the Royals worth $5.5 million after hitting .236 with 34 stolen bases last year for Cincinnati.