Jeremy Hamilton joins the Freedom in as the team's bench coach after an eight-year professional career. 

Dennis Pelfrey, who coached Hamilton when he was with the Gary SouthShore RailCats in 2014, says Hamilton's approach to the every-day grind of independent baseball will bring an added enthusiasm to the clubhouse.  

"As a player he was always very excited to get to the field," Pelfrey said. "From an offensive standpoint, I think he brings a lot of excitement and that extra edge we need to get those runs across in key situations."

In 2013, Hamilton played 82 games in Florence, posting a .286/.385/.435 slash line with 19 doubles, eight homeruns, and 42 RBIs. 

Hamilton was a fifth round pick of the Philidelphia Phillies in 2008 and spent two seasons with the organization. He reached as high as Lakewood (A) and hit .248 with 23 doubles, six home runs, 47 runs scored, and 48 RBIs in his time with three different affiliates. 

Then the first baseman and outfielder played six seasons in independent baseball, including three in the Frontier League. Prior to playing for the Freedom, he played for the Windy City Thunderbolts and the Rockford Riverhawks. Most recently Hamilton played 55 games with the Gary Southshore RailCats of the American Association in 2016. 

In total, Hamilton hit .244 as a professional with 99 doubles, 22 home runs, and 228 runs batted in.