Reds' top prospect Hamilton held up

Billy Hamilton, a member of the Reds' Class A affiliate in Bakersfield, Calif., was reportedly the victim of an armed robbery just hours before he played in -- and was named Most Valuable Player of -- the California-Carolina League All-Star Game on Tuesday.

Hamilton, a shortstop for the Bakersfield Blaze, was in Winston-Salem, N.C., for the game at BB&T Ballpark. He was with another person when they were approached by two men -- one of which was armed with a handgun -- early Tuesday morning, according to a report from WXII12.com in North Carolina.

According to the report, an umpire also in town for the game was robbed by the same men in a separate incident, around the same time as Hamilton's run-in. The umpire's name was not given in the report.

None of the three victims were injured in the altercation.

Hamilton, 21, went 1-for-5 with his team's only run and two stolen bases in the California League's 9-1 loss to the Carolina League on Tuesday night. The Reds' top prospect has garnered attention nationwide this season for his prowess on the basepaths, stealing 80 bases in 66 first-half games.

"My teammates told me everyone was here to see me steal bases, so that's what I wanted to do," Hamilton told MiLB.com after the game. "That's the goal I have every game. To steal bags and get in position to score."