Detroit Tigers: Derek Hill looks to provide immediate impact to lineup
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Tigers are calling up Derek Hill to the big leagues after the injury to JaCoby Jones that ended his season.
The Detroit Tigers are somehow fighting for a postseason spot, which is shocking in itself, but that did not come without some bad news. The organization is losing centerfielder JaCoby Jones for the remainder of the 2020 season with a hand injury.
This provided an opportunity for outfield prospect Derek Hill to make his big league debut for the Tigers organization. While Travis Demeritte was recalled, more likely in response to the Maybin trade, Hill now comes up to the big leagues with the injury to Jones.
Most will remember that Hill’s defense was on display in 2020 Tigers Summer Camp, where he made a few top-flight catches. Hill, a former first-round selection of the Tigers from the 2014 draft, will make his big league debut after a long road in the minors.
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While Hill only played as high as Double-A in 2019, where he logged 120 games, he will make the jump to the big leagues with no Triple-A experience, with COVID-19 being partially to blame.
However, at the Double-A level in 2019, Hill hit .243/.311/.394 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI on the season.
His bat has always been a bit lackluster and less promising, but he will look to make an impact for this Tigers team that is trying to stay alive in the 2020 postseason race.
Hill’s abilities in the outfield are going to be his calling card, as someone who can track balls down and be a defensive asset.
But a free pass in the batter’s box will not be awarded, and Hill will have to try and get out to a good start if he hopes to remain a part of the roster.
While Jones is out for the remainder of the 2020 season and Maybin has been traded, the time for Hill to show the organization he deserves a lengthened chance with the big league club is now.
Hill is not the only outfielder in the mix to see playing time due to the sudden loss of two outfielders. It was mentioned above that Demeritte was recalled to the big leagues, but also, infielder Willi Castro has been taking reps in the outfield and could be another option.
Hill may not have the same buzz as a player like Daz Cameron, who is still in the Tigers minor league system, but Hill is still a former first-round selection. Hopefully, in his big league debut with the club, Hill can get things started and provide some help/depth to the organization.
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The Detroit Tigers somehow are staying alive in the 2020 postseason race, which means that Hill’s impact could be crucial for this organization.