Rookie outfielder Derek Hill has made the most of his opportunities with the Detroit Tigers. And lately Hill has come alive at the plate. Let’s take a second to look at these numbers from the rookie.
In his last seven games, he’s batting .333 with two home runs and three RBI. On the season he is hitting .275 with three home runs, 16 runs scored, six steals and 11 RBI through 37 games.
The Tigers have dealt with injuries to its outfield all season and a lot of shuffling has been made. But Hill has made sure that he capitalizes on his opportunities.
Derek Hill has homered in back-to-back games.
Not sure what Hill he's on, but let's keep rolling down it.
(work with us on this one) pic.twitter.com/nbxw9EuwGr
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) September 1, 2021
For the first time in his career, Hill homered in consecutive games.
He accomplished this on August 30th and August 31st. Hill saw the ball really well at the plate in both those games.
On August 30th against the Minnesota Twins, he went 2-for-3 at the plate and then the next day against the Oakland Athletics, he went 3-for-5. So in a span of two days this brother went 5-for-8 at the plate with two bombs. That’s how you make some noise right there.
Hill has become a respected player in the Motor City and more and more people are getting a chance to see what all he brings to the team.
Okay, Derek Hill is making this look easy. #DetroitRoots pic.twitter.com/pJTmH5KIdy
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) August 30, 2021
Our MLBbro has provided a spark for the Tigers with his bat and glove. He is fearless and has exceptional range in the outfield. If he can avoid injury, a starting job is in his future.
He was reinstated from the injured list on August 21st from a left rib cage contusion after colliding with Akil Baddoo on August 10th. This isn’t the first time that Hill has been injured during the season. Even with the injuries he’s dealt with he still has made a positive impact on the team.
Tigers manager AJ Hinch knows that it’s been a tough ride for Hill this season.
“Each time he’s gotten hurt, he’s been right at the cusp of breaking through and doing some really positive things and playing a lot more regularly than he ever has at this level,” Hinch told the Detroit Free Press. “Getting his energy, getting his outfield defense commanding center field is going to be huge for us.”
After dominating this season in the Triple A, Derek Hill has next for the Detroit Tigers. @KevMoore93 tells you how he can become a consistent part of their lineup https://t.co/PtSLFJhrhm #MLBbros #DetroitRoots pic.twitter.com/bD9Se7vLtJ
— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) June 9, 2021
“The playing time is going to be on a day-to-day basis,” Hinch said. “We’ll see what lineup I put out there. But when (Hill is) out there, I feel total confidence that center field is going to be patrolled with great success.”
RELATED: Derek Hill Has Next | Detroit Tigers MLBbro On The Rise
While he might not be an every day starter, he’s putting himself in a good position to make the roster next year when the season starts.
Derek Hill may not have been a player that people were aware of at the start of the season, but now people around the league are starting to get hip to the talents of our fellow MLBbro.
Keep it up Hill, the streets is watching !