ST. PETERSBURG — Ian Hamilton notched 28 saves during his college career at Washington State and 46 more over 201 minor league contests. But the right-hander’s first major league save didn’t come until his 27th game on Saturday, when Hamilton took over the ninth in the Yankees’ 3-2 win over the Rays.
Hamilton faced the bottom of Tampa Bay’s lineup after Clay Holmes — the Yankees’ usual closer coming off two rough outings — handled the heart of the order in the eighth. Still, Hamilton “definitely” felt more adrenaline pitching in a save situation, especially since he didn’t know the final frame belonged to him until the bullpen phone rang.
“I was like, ‘Dang,’” said Hamilton, who worked around a Luke Raley double and struck out one. “I was surprised for sure.”
Hamilton, often reserved, flashed large smiles after the game and kept the ball from his first save. He clearly enjoyed the opportunity.
The same can be said for his overall Yankees tenure.
A non-roster invitee in spring training, Hamilton joined the organization with just 15 games and a 4.91 ERA on his big league resume after stints with the White Sox and Twins. A shoulder-hurting, car-totaling auto accident and a line drive to his face — which struck him whole in the dugout during a minor league game — derailed Hamilton’s 2019 campaign, and threw just 6.2 MLB innings from 2020-2022.
But the 27-year-old now has a 1.42 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 12 games and 19 innings for the Yankees following an eye-opening camp.
“I know we liked him really early in spring,” Aaron Boone said Saturday. “I had no experience with him. I didn’t know anything about him, frankly. And right away in spring training, he got all of our attention and put together a great spring. He’s obviously thrown the ball outstanding here to start the year and continues to earn himself more and more of a role.”
Boone added that Hamilton “loves being here,” and the manager appreciates his “business-like” demeanor and “toughness.”
Hamilton, meanwhile, attributes his first extended stretch of success to his offseason routine. He tried to maintain a spring training-like regiment over the winter, when he would emphasize getting his work done in the morning.
“I just kept doing stuff every single day,” Hamilton said. “It didn’t matter what day it was. Didn’t want to know what day it was. Just kept doing something.”
Hamilton’s unique “slambio” pitch — a circle-change/slider hybrid — has also helped the reliever standout in a bullpen that’s excelled despite injuries to multiple high-leverage arms.
After tallying 3.1 scoreless innings while pitching in three of the Yankees’ last four games — all decided by one run — it’s safe to say Hamilton has entered Boone’s circle of trust. The question now is whether he’ll get more chances to close.
The manager didn’t rule out the possibility.
“We’re trying to put guys in the best position to be successful,” Boone said.
Hamilton, meanwhile, doesn’t care when he pitches. He just wants to win.
“That would be great,” Hamilton said of closing again, but he’ll be happy in any role. “Setup man, doesn’t matter. I’ll do anything.”
()