ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Something seems different about David Hamilton, and it’s not just his uniform.
The 29-year-old infielder played for the Red Sox from 2023-25 after being acquired from the Brewers on Dec. 1, 2021.
Hamilton led all major league rookies with 33 stolen bases in 2024 and had five games with three hits during his time with the Sox. He had a memorable game-tying two-run homer in the eighth inning in Detroit on May 13, 2025.
Hamilton also impacted plenty of other games with his high-octane speed.
But Hamilton never broke through to become an everyday player. He appeared in 204 games for the Sox over those three seasons but played the entire game only 104 times. He was more of a utility infielder playing second base and shortstop.
Hamilton shook his head when asked what he learned during his time with the Sox.
“I feel like I learned how to not play every day,” he told the Globe. “Coming up through the minor leagues, everybody’s playing every day. In Boston, I learned how to stay ready when you weren’t playing. It wasn’t something that I wanted to learn, but it helped.
“I learned a lot from the coaches and some of the players. That part was good.”
Hamilton said infield coach José David Flores was particularly helpful. But his time with the Red Sox was otherwise unfulfilling.
Then something he never expected happened: The Sox traded him back to Milwaukee.
Hamilton, lefthander Kyle Harrison, and minor league lefthander Shane Drohan were sent to the Brewers for infielders Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, and Anthony Seigler.
The Brewers prized Harrison, one of the players the Sox acquired when they traded Rafael Devers to the Giants. Durbin, coming off a strong rookie season with the Brewers, was a player the Sox valued because his righthanded swing seemed tailored for Fenway Park and he could play third base.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy, while a big proponent of Durbin, was happy to get Hamilton back.
“I think when they traded David, they knew they were trading a good player, he said. “Then when we had the opportunity to get him back, it was like, ‘Hey, this guy might be a full-time player.’
“He’s got a little experience, never full-time experience, but he’s got a lot of traits that fit with us, which is electric speed, there’s bat-to-ball [skills] there that are getting better, and there’s a defender in there that can probably defend on seven positions on the diamond.”
The Sox have done better in the deal so far. Durbin, Monasterio, and Seigler combined for 5.5 bWAR this season while Hamilton, Harrison, and Drohan had 2.8.
Durbin is favored to win the American League Gold Glove at third base and had 39 extra-base hits despite dislocating the pinky on his left hand after a headfirst slide June 24. Durbin played the remainder of the season with his finger pointed sideways and had surgery earlier this month.
But Milwaukee has no complaints. Hamilton settled in as the third baseman and has started five of the team’s 10 postseason games. He’s 6 for 17 with a double, a homer, three RBIs, and three stolen bases.
Hamilton started the first two World Series games and went 1 for 6 in a pair of victories. He was credited with an RBI in Game 2 when he put the ball in play with a runner at third base and one out.
“We love this kid,” Murphy said. “When you make trades, you have to trade good players or you’re not going to make good trades, I don’t think. To win a trade isn’t a thing. You’ve got to get what you need.
“I think he’s just gaining the confidence. This kid’s got a little fight in him that he doesn’t exude in his personality, but he’s got some real fight in him.”
Hamilton started 104 regular-season games. He had a modest .650 OPS but stole 30 bases and led the National League in sacrifices with 13.
Hamilton wasn’t surprised he was traded. But he was surprised it was back to Milwaukee.
“It’s a weird feeling. Can’t really describe it,” he said. “But I’m happy that it happened.”
Hamilton played in the minors with many of his current teammates. Matt Erickson, Milwaukee’s third base coach and infield instructor, managed him in Single-A.
“It’s been cool coming back,” Hamilton said. “It’s nice to see the familiar faces. I feel like the Brewers game is my game. It feels good to be here.”
And that’s the difference. Hamilton was smiling. The player who was often downcast during his time in Boston is enjoying himself again.
“It’s funny how baseball works,” Hamilton said. “I feel like myself again. I’m playing my game.”
Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at peteabeglobe.bsky.social.