Rich Hill

by jonpyardi on Jun 27, 2006 1:53 PM CDT

Rich Hill had another stellar performance for Iowa last night going 7 shutout innings in which he gave up just 1 hit, walked 2, and struck out 9. This drops his ERA to 1.91 at Iowa and he has a WHIP of around .8 which is pretty much stellar.

I believe I'm in the minority in regards to Rich Hill, in the thinking he should be given another chance as a starter, but I have posted some thoughts over at my Cubs Minor League Blog.

Let me know what you think.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Trade to Atlanta

for some hitting.

by CubFaninCA on Jun 27, 2006 1:56 PM CDT reply actions

Trade him!

That is, if you can get anyone to take him. I've said this before, but I'll say it again.

Hill's curveball is good enough to fool minor league hitters, which is why all the strikeouts at AAA.

It is NOT good enough to fool major league hitters, so they lay off it, since most of the time, it's out of the strike zone -- that's the key; if he could throw it consistently for strikes, he'd be in the majors to stay.

Since major league hitters lay off the curveball, he has to then throw him his fastball, which ALSO isn't good enough, and is often left up in the zone, and it gets crushed.

Now, if you can find a major league team whose scouts don't already know this, maybe Hill has some trade value. Otherwise, it's another waste of a prospect who should have been traded a year ago.

by Al Yellon on Jun 27, 2006 1:57 PM CDT reply actions

K/BB

Al, you believe the K/BB ratio differences is as a result of lack of strike zone judgement as opposed to confidence issues?

I'm not sure I buy your theory, but I'm certainly shopping.

Check out my Cubs Minor League System website: Top Cubs Prospects

by jonpyardi on Jun 27, 2006 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Rich Hill

can't get the ball over the plate in the bigs. Of course it could be a case of Larry Rothschild failing (for the one millionth time) to be of any value to a Cub pitcher. But more than likely, Hill is victim of having one above grade pitch (that curveball) that he simply can't get over the plate in consistent enough fashion to get big league hitters out. He's been given four chances to prove his major league worth. I'm willing to give him one more chance, but that's it.

by Mike63 on Jun 27, 2006 1:59 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed

What is it exactly do we have left to lose if Hill bombs again?

by JFCubFan on Jun 27, 2006 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Very true

Also I agree about Rothschild. I know Al that you think Hill is too old, but left handers are like gold if they can even be mediocre. Hold old is Jamie Moyer? If Hill could just develop another pitch..

by wicubfan on Jun 27, 2006 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Probably still worth more in trade, though

If we bring him up again and he shows that he is merely a AAA pitcher, his value is completely gone. Maybe someone will give us a B-Grade prospect for him now.

by jcub on Jun 28, 2006 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Bring him up!

I say why not give him another chance. I think it's a purely mental obstacle to his success in the majors, and a couple more starts would do him well.

But don't bring him up against the White Sox. Wait for some easier competition.

by FukudomeAtLarge on Jun 27, 2006 2:00 PM CDT reply actions

AAAA pitcher

Let him rack up as many wins as possible at AAA, then trade him for whatever we can get. He's bad.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on Jun 27, 2006 2:11 PM CDT reply actions

I tend to agree

I say give Hill one more shot, but don't expect much. Al's commentary is right on the money. Major league hitters sit on Hill's fastball because they know he can't get that curveball over the plate. A combination like that makes him ill equipped for either a starter's role or the bullpen. Plus he's already 26 years old. If some team offers up a new rosin bag and a Gatorade cooler to be named later for Hill, I pull the trigger if I'm Jim Hendry.

by Mike63 on Jun 27, 2006 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

the fact that

we don't expect much out of him is exeactly the reason not to call him up. if we call him up and he fails again, then he's lost whatever value he's built up in the minors.

by tomas21 on Jun 27, 2006 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions