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Detroit Tigers: 5 Prospects to Keep an Eye on

By Griffin Fabits

Jun 25, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; General view during the sixth inning of the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; General view during the sixth inning of the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Derek Hill 

When the Detroit Tigers drafted Derek Hill with the 23rd overall pick in the 2014 draft out of Elk Grove High School in California, they knew they were getting a stellar defender and a big league hitter fresh out of high school.

In his final season at Elk Grove, Hill hit an impressive .500 (47-94) in 29 games played with 30 runs driven in. Thanks to a strong senior year, Hill found himself as the 23rd best prospect heading into the 2014 draft, according to baseballamerica.com.

The Tigers plucked him with their first pick and immediately assigned him to their GCL squad. His dazzling final season of high school did not translate to his first season of professional baseball. In 47 games with the GCL Tigers and Connecticut Tigers, Hill combined for a .208 average with only eight extra-base hits and just 11 swiped bags.

In parts of two seasons with the West Michigan Whitecaps, the bat is slowly picking up for Hill. This season the batting average sits at .271 and he’s already stolen 22 bags. He’s beginning to turn into the player the Tigers envisioned when the club selected him just two summers ago.

But, the one thing that seems to be preventing Hill from maneuvering his way up the Tigers’ minor league system is his inability to stay off the disabled list. Since 2015, the speedy outfielder has been sidelined due to injury on four different occasions.

When he is healthy, Hill is a spark-plug at the top of the lineup. Not to mention, he’s a guy that’s not afraid to go get a ball. Hill’s future in the spacious Comerica Park will be full of diving catches, shoestring grabs, and approval from the pitching staff.

Next: Christin Stewart

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