Rich Hill Called Up

by Schwa on May 1, 2006 6:24 PM CDT Comment 17 comments

I didn't see this anywhere else so I figured I'd post a diary about it, but Rich Hill has been called up and David "My only claim to fame is being first alphabetically" Aardsma is back to AAA, accoriding to this article on espn.com. According to the article, Hill could get his first start this year Thursday against Arizona. I think the obvious question is will Hill be able to be effective at the major league level. Everyone knows about his success this year at AAA, but his past struggles in the majors worry me. But hey, anyone's better than Glendon at this point...

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I say

good move. It's about time to see what these younger guys can do and either include them in the team's future or trade them.

And like you said, can't be worse than Rusch.

by BringBackRyno on May 1, 2006 6:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I withhold comment

Hill will have to show me he has grown a year in maturity before I can say he is any different than a Glendon Rusch type pitcher

by cubsfan2883 on May 1, 2006 6:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Already an improvement

Marshall set Pitt down 1-2-3 with minimum of effort in 1st.

Better than Rusch and Z over weekend for sure. Might as well try Hill can't be worse than Glen-DONE. Rusch OK for mop-up duty when starters get knocked around, aside from that don't expect he'll be of much use in pen either as not esp. effective vs. LH batters, as pointed out on Comcast today by Dan Pleasac.

Well, at least we're facing Pitt doormat of NL....need a W today Mon nite because Zach Duke has had Cubs' number in the past and so far team's record vs. soutpaws (due to struggles by Jones, Walker and Pierre mainly) is not promising.

by writerinwrigley on May 1, 2006 7:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hill vs Cruz

So it will be Hill vs Cruz in AZ. I guess Guzman vs. Cruz would be an even better now vs. then matchup, but this should be interesting.

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on May 1, 2006 7:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

MLB TV broadcast, Kasper stated it at the onset

Rich Hill is penciled in to pitch Thursday IF he doesn't have to pitch today or tomorrow. Rusch is slated to be available tomorrow.

Aardsma was optioned. Was he showcased? Boy Craig Wilson looks good but with Casey out as long as DeLee that option seems gone.

Bill Veeck planted Ivy during 'The Depression', and over time the Ivy Walls has become the most distinct symbol of Wrigley Field.

by Ivy Walls on May 1, 2006 7:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

good

I know a lot of people here don't like Hill, and it's also scary having three rookies in the rotation, but I like this move.

My theory is if you can pitch, you can pitch. We don't know yet if Hill can pitch well at this level, but we do know that Rusch hasn't this year. Might as well give someone else a shot.

"If it takes forever."

by JDay on May 1, 2006 9:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I understand peopke's dislike for Hill

I think 4 starts in the major leagues gives a completely accurate picture of Hill's potential in the majors...

by JonH on May 1, 2006 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So with that thought then Gagne must have just

sucked in your opinion after his first year or two in the bigs.

Not everyone comes up to the bigs and pulls an Albert Pujols and just kicks ass. In fact it is more often the opposite where it takes them some time to adjust. Give him a chance to show what he has then if he blows I will gladly join the chorus to get rid of him.

by CA Cub Fan on May 2, 2006 7:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not?

Hill will be an improvement on Rusch, and really, what do we expect? I'd say keeping us in games would be progress at this point....

A little advice, though, Rich. Take a look at Sean Marshall. See him sitting next to Maddux all the time? Sit your fanny down on Maddux's other side, and keep your ears open and mouth shut.

by Chadnudj on May 1, 2006 11:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hear, hear.

Good advice.

Hill has talent -- there's no doubt about it. He has yet to show he can adapt it to the major league level.

Forget about sitting next to Maddux -- Hill ought to just watch Marshall!

by Al on May 2, 2006 4:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pitches

Anyone else think that Hill's curve is about as big as Marshall's? Last night there were some wicked hammers in that mix...

by FukudomeAtLarge on May 2, 2006 7:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree....

The Dude abides. Marshall's curve absolutely falls off the table sometimes. It's a beauty to see, and based on what we've heard, Hill has the same ability.

by Chadnudj on May 2, 2006 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Difference Is...

1- Marshall has better command of his Uncle Charlie than Hill did during his mid-season gaffe in Chicago.

2- and probably the most important difference

marshall has better command over not one pitch but a second pitch. He throws a 89-91 MPH for strikes (93-95 on the Fox gun). and he is able to throw what seems to be a slider/cutter.. that breaks away for strikes occasionally too.

I think that Marshall was further ahead than Hill was... and honestly it would not surprise me one bit if Marshall were to win 10-12 games when all is said and done.

by cubsfan2883 on May 2, 2006 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which would be just fine...

... for a fifth starter.

Unfortunately, Marshall's now #3. Or maybe #2, with Zambrano sucking.

by Al on May 2, 2006 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Telling Statistic though..

The Cubs are 10-0 when Greg Maddux or Sean Marshall picks up the ball.

the Cubs are 4-11 when Any other Cubs starter picks up the rock..

it truly seems he is pitching like a number 2 right now

by cubsfan2883 on May 2, 2006 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely.

Problem is, for the Cubs to succeed he has to keep doing this all year.

I'd love for that to happen, of course, but can we count on that?

by Al on May 3, 2006 4:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The entire rotation...

...came up through the Cubs farm system. Maddux may have gone away and come back, but he was a Cub farm hand in the 80s. That means our whole rotation now came up in our system. That is pretty cool, especially since they all have the ability to be very good, Zs problems notwithstanding. Let's hope the DL duo can come back and show they belong here, if not then get on with life without them. I like the way our rotation is shaping up for the future.

Madog93. There is only one good season of the year -- BASEBALL SEASON!

by madog93 on May 2, 2006 10:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs