Oppo
There are a handful of measures that the Rangers are taking to give center fielder Josh Hamilton the greatest possible chance to succeed, one of which is installing him, in all likelihood, in the number two spot in the batting order, where common baseball wisdom suggests he'll be fed a heavier diet of fastballs, batting behind a high on-base guy (Frank Catalanotto) or a stolen base threat (Ian Kinsler) and in front of Michael Young, than he might in a more traditional run-producing slot. Hamilton saw some time hitting second for Cincinnati last year (.333/.429/.500 in 24 at-bats), a note that's not all that notable considering he hit in all nine slots for the Reds during the season.
The list of number two hitters around the league capable of going over 450 feet to the opposite field is only slightly shorter than the list of humans capable of going 450 feet to the opposite field. Courtesy of Scott Lucas, below is a photo of the spring training batting practice/"B" game field in Surprise where the left-handed-hitting Hamilton, according to multiple reports, has been drilling not only the top of the indoor batting cage beyond the left field fence but also the clubhouse that sits 454 feet from the plate behind the fence in left center.
When I'm in Surprise next month, you have my word that, as always, I'll spend virtually all of my time south of the parking lot scouting prospects (though there are at least preliminary plans for me to join Victor Rojas as a guest color commentator for one big league game while I'm there), but that cluster of diamonds on the south side does include more than just the minor league fields.
That batting practice/"B" game field is down there, too, separated from Surprise Stadium/Billy Parker Field by the aforementioned parking lot, indoor batting cage, and clubhouse that is evidently looking more and more each day like it's been under siege by intermittent, early morning hailstorms.
Historically, you haven't had to worry much about jockeying for position in Surprise if you wanted to take in morning batting practice, but that might be changing in this camp. Getting there early might be key if you want to experience the Josh Hamilton show, not only because of the limited metal bleacher seating but also because, as it stands now, the Rangers are having him take cuts in that first threesome.
Can't wait.