Derek Hill Is Back In The Bigs | The Tigers Outfielder Is Looking To Stick Like Glue

Derek Hill Is Back In The Bigs | The Tigers Outfielder Is Looking To Stick Like Glue

by | Jul 17, 2021 | THE LEAD OFF

Derek Hill will have another opportunity to make significant contributions for the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers recalled the talented outfielder from Triple-A Toledo on July 16.

Hill has already made multiple appearances with the Tigers this season. His last appearance was on June 30th when he went 1-for-2 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored.

He made his debut this season with the Tigers on April 21st.

Hill recorded his first hit on June 5th against the Chicago White Sox.

A few days later he had his first multi-hit game.

 


This MLBbro has made quite the impact in his limited action this season for the Tigers and now he’s getting another opportunity to display his skills.

The Tigers are very high on Hill and what he can do on the field.

“I really wanted him back in the big leagues to man center field quite a bit,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch told the Detroit Free Press. “Derek’s defense is really second to none in our organization in the outfield.”

Now Hill has another shot to remain on the Tigers throughout the remainder of the season as All-Star break has ended.

There’s no question that Hill has what it takes to play in the big leagues as he already displayed his skill set.

Through eight games this season, Hill is batting .286 with four hits in 14 at-bats.

 


Detroit has seen a variety of outfielders throughout the course of the season as players have been dealing with injuries left and right. Opportunities abound for a young player who can find some consistency and secure a starting job. 

During the month of June, Hill made his second stint with the Tigers during the season after playing two games with the team in April.

Hill had an impressive month as he hit .308 in six games with three RBI and four stolen bases.

He faced a minor setback in June as he suffered an injury during a game after making an outstanding catch in center field.

He suffered a right shoulder sprain as he collided with the wall when he made the catch. Hill was put on the 10-day injured list on June 10th.

 

The Tigers had a decision to make when Hill came off the injured list. Hill was sent back down to Triple-A and it wasn’t an easy decision for the Tigers to make.

“I’m not sure if it’s the best fit, it’s just the decision that we made,” Hinch said about the decision to send Hill back down to Triple-A. “We have to make decisions in real-time, and the outfield is really crowded.”

For Hill, the decision did not affect him at all because he knows that at the end of the day, wherever he’s playing, he’s going to give max effort and the plan is the same. 

“There’s always a plan,” he said. “I just keep my head down and work as hard as I can.”

“I didn’t have any expectations going into it,” Hill said about being sent back down to Triple-A. “I’ve learned to just keep an open mind. Whatever happens, happens. Whatever team I’m on, I’m going to try my best to help that team win. And that’s all I can do.”

Now Hill is back on the Tigers’ roster and he’s going to continue to do what he does best.

There’s a reason why Detroit keeps bringing him back up to the majors and hopefully this time, they won’t have to send him back down.

Derek Hill Has Next | Detroit Tigers MLBbro On The Rise

Derek Hill Has Next | Detroit Tigers MLBbro On The Rise

by | Jun 9, 2021 | CLEAN UP

The Detroit Tigers have been seriously affected by the injury bug and scrambling around trying to find a consistent outfield throughout the 2021 season. They might have finally found a winner in MLBbro Derek Hill. 

On June 4th, outfielder Victor Reyes was put on the 10-day Injured List with a left intercostal strain.

With Reyes out, the Tigers were in search of a player to call up. They called up a player from the Toledo Mud Hens who has been dominating this season.

Enter Hill. 

 

 

With the numbers that Hill has put up this season in the minors, it was hard for the Tigers not to call him up.

Check out these stats.

Through 21 games with the Mud Hens, he posted a .355 batting average and is a top defensive player in the Tigers farm system.

It was a no-brainer for Tigers’ general manager AJ Hinch to bring Hill up to the team.

“Very easy (decision),” Hinch told the Detroit Free Press. “We had a couple of options. JaCoby (Jones) is down there on the roster. Daz Cameron is playing very well. And then Derek has really outperformed everybody. We’ve seen Derek a couple of times up here. I’m really glad that he gets a chance to stick up here.”

Entering Tuesday’s breakout game, Hill was 1-for-9 at the plate, before breaking out with two hits in three at-bats, an RBI, and a stolen base. It was a great example of his all-around ability and potential as an everyday player. 

The 25-year-old has impressed a lot of people throughout the Tigers’ organization and there’s a reason he got the call-up.

Now he just needs to perform on the big stage and prove that he belongs. He certainly has the skill set to do that.

If Hill can put together a few games like the multi-hit gem he produced on Tuesday, there will be a good chance the Tigers keep him around throughout the season.

 

 

Hinch gave a lot of credit to Hill’s offensive approach, which is something very good in Hill’s case.

“He’s not in the mode of trying to hit the ball in the air a ton, but he’s also just not content touching the ball and hitting the ball on the ground,” Hinch said. “The line-drive stroke, combined with the knowledge of a ball from a strike, has created some offensive opportunities for him. I’m looking forward to seeing him continue to do that.”

Hill has spent seven seasons in the minors and this season is arguably his best one. Throughout his minor league career he’s batting .248, with 25 home runs and 180 RBIs.

The Tigers selected Hill with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2014 draft. 

Our MLBbro can get it done at the plate and in the field and he can become a valuable asset to the Tigers this season and in the future. 

Pay close attention to Hill this season ladies and gentlemen and don’t be surprised if he has a few more breakout games.