David Hamilton's bunting excellence since joining Brewers didn't happen by chance

There's a certain aura that seems to radiate from the Milwaukee Brewers' clubhouse, motivating the players within to do whatever it takes to win baseball games. This intangible force seems to be the combination of Pat Murphy's coaching style, a dedication to success shared among the players on Milwaukee's roster, and an organizational culture that rewards effort. Together, this atmosphere creates an enviable environment for any incoming player hoping to turn their work ethic into results at the big-league level. If a player is willing to put in the work, the Brewers will meet them halfway with opportunities.

Such is the case for offseason trade acquisition David Hamilton, who joined the Brewers in Milwaukee's late-winter, six-player swap with the Boston Red Sox. Hamilton, who was initially drafted by Milwaukee back in 2019, possesses the type of personality that has led many like-minded players to success in a Brewers uniform. He plays the game at max effort and is always willing to do whatever it takes to make himself a more valuable member of the team, even if that means incorporating a new skill into his repertoire.

Hamilton's commitment to success is clearly evidenced by a dedication to improving an area of his game that he seldom utilized with the Red Sox: bunting. Back in Boston, the speedy Hamilton attempted just 11 total bunts in 204 games from 2023-2025. He's already surpassed that mark in just 29 games in Milwaukee, already 14 bunt attempts in a Brewers uniform to his name.

However, it's not just the increase in attempts that catches the eye; the rate at which Hamilton is converting bunt attempts into base hits is incredible. In those 14 attempts, Hamilton has seven bunt hits, which is the most in MLB. Additionally, Hamilton only trails Victor Scott II of the St. Louis Cardinals in sacrifice bunts, indicating that even when he's not converting bunts into base hits, he's still getting the job done.

It's an incredible turnaround for the 28-year-old Hamilton from where his bunting skills were in Boston, and it's a large reason for his continued opportunities in the Brewers' lineup. However, there's not necessarily any secret sauce to Hamilton's improved success. Rather, it's simply his dedication to always keep improving his game that's led to this impressive change.

David Hamilton's impressive work ethic paying dividends when it comes to improved bunting skills

When the media asked Hamilton about his improvements to his bunting this year, during the team's most recent homestand, the Brewers' infielder acknowledged his prior struggles in the area of the game, saying, "I feel like I’ve never really been that good of a bunter. It was Murph in spring always telling me to bunt and use the speed and just practice it every day.”

I followed up with Hamilton the next day and asked him if he made any changes to his practice and preparation when it comes to bunting this year, to which he replied, "I just do it a bit more. I practiced it a bit more in spring. I'm always just trying to get it more game-like [in practice].”

In addition to Hamilton pointing to the increase in the amount of time he spends practicing bunting, he continued to cite the encouragement from Murphy as a key reason for his success. However, the Brewers' manager was quick to put the credit back on Hamilton himself, saying on the matter, "I think it’s his work at it. I don’t think I can instill confidence. He goes and works his butt off every day because he wants to be a good player...His preparation, his belief system, that’s what gets him there."

Hamilton's hard work is definitely paying off, and the Brewers' infielder is certainly pleased with the addition to his game. "It’s nice to have," said Hamilton on his bunting ability, "I feel like half my hits are bunts. If I didn’t have those it would be a rough year.”

However, it's not just the increase in batting average that results from Hamilton's improved bunting skills; defenses have started playing him entirely differently, and he knows it. "It’s a weapon you could say...The third baseman has to come in and maybe the first baseman sometimes, and it can open up holes.” That change in defensive positioning is already paying off. Take, for example, Hamilton's go-ahead base hit from the Brewers' April 23 game against the Detroit Tigers (seen below).

Tigers' third baseman, Kevin McGonigle, is playing way up on the grass and hugging the third base line, expecting Hamilton to lay down a squeeze bunt. Instead, Hamilton bounces one through the left side, that would have almost certainly led to at least one out had McGonigle been playing in a normal spot. Already, in just one month, the threat of Hamilton bunting is wreaking havoc on opposing defenses.

However, laying a perfect bunt down the third base line -- one that causes defenders like McGonigle to hug the line in future at-bats -- is no easy task. "You’re definitely trying to catch it," said Hamilton on his technique, paying homage to the old adage that good bunting should feel like catching the pitch. "You're trying to deaden it as much as you can. It’s hard with how good pitching is these days.”

While today's pitchers' impressive arsenals certainly don't make bunting easy, Hamilton did acknowledge that pitches moving down in the zone (sinkers, curveballs, changeups) are easier to bunt than a four-seam fastball that has good ride and therefore a perceived rising motion. The observation makes sense -- if a batter expects a ball to be lower than it is in the zone, the likelihood of catching the pitch on the top half of the barrel, and therefore popping it up, increases. Of the seven bunt base hits that Hamilton has this year, just two have come on four-seam fastballs.

Though Hamilton is already excelling as a bunter, his impressive work ethic is leading him to try and perfect the skill even further. Up until yesterday's game against the Cardinals, all six of Hamilton's previous bunt hits came down the third base line. Even his bunt single against St. Louis looked like he was attempting to shoot one to third base, but the pitch didn't allow him to do so. However, Hamilton noted that he's currently working on more of a drag bunt down the first base line -- a skill that if he's able to perfect, will make him a nightmare for opposing defenses.

As Hamilton waits for his bat to reach its true potential, which Murphy, who coined the infielder a "quantum leap" candidate during Spring Training, believes is still yet to come, his ability to get on base, heavily aided by his vastly improved bunting abilities, remains an important asset. Through hard work and a dedication to success, Hamilton has added a new skill to his already "toolsy" profile.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow