BOSTON -- Speedster. Stolen-base machine. Those have always been ways to describe David Hamilton, who paced the Minors with 70 steals in 2022.

At a time in Major League Baseball when the bags are bigger and pickoff throws from pitchers are limited per at-bat, Hamilton could thrive in this environment. But Hamilton, Boston's No. 27 prospect per MLB Pipeline, knows that he can¡¯t get by at the highest level with speed alone, and that¡¯s why the adjustments he¡¯s made at the plate this season are notable.

Playing at Triple-A for the first time this season, Hamilton went 16-for-42 in his first 11 games for Worcester, with three doubles, one triple, three homers, six RBIs and seven stolen bases.

What has led to the improvements offensively?

¡°Overall, continuing to get a better overall understanding of the player he is and the player that can make the most impact -- that¡¯s someone who can get on base and make things happen,¡± said Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham. ¡°The two key areas are a focus on increasing his bat speed and focusing more on line drives vs. hitting the ball consistently in the air for outs.¡±

The Red Sox got Hamilton on Dec. 1, 2021, in a trade with the Brewers in which Boston also acquired prospect Alex Binelas and veteran outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., while sending Hunter Renfroe to Milwaukee.

Initial results of that deal weren¡¯t good for Boston as Renfroe -- now with the Angels -- flourished in Milwaukee, and Bradley (now with the Royals) was released in August. Binelas, viewed as the most relevant prospect in the trade, has yet to perform as expected in Boston¡¯s system.

But Hamilton -- with an improved bat, defensive versatility and blazing speed -- could reverse the narrative.

Given that middle infielders Trevor Story and Adalberto Mondesi are both on the 60-day injured list, it¡¯s not out of the realm of possibility that the left-handed hitter could get a call to Boston at some point in the not-too-distant future.

¡°We really like him at short and consider him depth up in the middle as someone on the 40-man,¡± said Abraham. ¡°We will continue to expose him in the outfield, mostly center field, at times, but I don¡¯t see that being more than once, maybe twice a week, unless something changes.¡±

Though Hamilton is already so gifted on the bases, he is continuing to hone his top craft.

¡°He¡¯s always trying to improve,¡± said Abraham. ¡°Small things make a big difference on the basepaths. [Baserunning coach] Kyle Hudson during Major League camp and now [Minor League outfield and baserunning coordinator] Corey Wimberly have continued to work on him even being more aggressive at times, utilizing the new pickoff rules, pitch clock, etc. There is also the entire understanding of opposing pitchers, their moves, etc.¡±

Double-A Portland: Gomez shining early

If you¡¯re looking for a feel-good story on the Portland Sea Dogs, keep an eye on lefty reliever Rio Gomez.

The son of late, great ESPN journalist Pedro Gomez, Rio has never been considered a top prospect, but the 28-year-old continues to chase his dreams. This has been a big year already for Gomez, who was used frequently as a Minor League extra by manager Alex Cora during Red Sox camp, and also realized a dream of pitching for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic. In an outing for the Sea Dogs on April 11, Gomez struck out six in 2 1/3 innings. He has a 1.80 ERA over his first three outings.

High-A Greenville: Meidroth on fire; Marcelo goes deep

A fourth-round pick of the Sox in the 2022 Draft, Chase Meidroth has hit the ground running in his Minor League career. After slashing .316/.438/.539 in his first 22 games as a pro last year, Meidroth, Boston¡¯s No. 20 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has opened this season on fire for Greenville. In his first six games, Meidroth went 7-for-18 with a double and a homer. Meidroth¡¯s best tool is his ability to make contact. Meidroth, who played college baseball at San Diego, is a solid defender at second base. The other big development of the week occurred on Saturday when Marcelo Mayer, Boston¡¯s No. 1 prospect, showed signs of emerging from his slow start this season by ripping his first home run.

Low-A Salem: Bleis on fire

The Red Sox don¡¯t have a more exciting young prospect in their system than 19-year-old Dominican Miguel Bleis. And it is playing out so far in his first season with an affiliate. The right-handed hitter, ranked No. 3 in Boston¡¯s system, went 11-for-34 in his first eight games, including a double, a triple, five RBIs and two steals. Bleis has plus range in center with a strong arm.