Bobby Hill Stats & Scouting Report

AB	523
AVG	.262
OBP	.343
SLG	.35
HR	6

Full name William Robert Hill
Born 04/03/1978 in San Jose, CA
Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Miami (FL)
Debut 05/10/2002
Drafted in the 2nd round (43rd overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2000 (signed for $1,425,000).

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The White Sox had until a week before the draft to sign their second-round pick from last year. Those chances appeared slim as Hill and agent Scott Boras have held to their desire for a bonus substantially above Hill's slot in the draft. Hill spent three years at Miami but decided to forgo his senior year and play with the independent Newark Bears to remain eligible for the draft. He was hitting .247-2-8 with nine stolen bases through 20 games. There have been conflicting reports on his progress, but he is still seen as an excellent runner with offensive potential as a leadoff hitter. His ability to make the long throw from the hole at shortstop will determine whether he stays there or moves to second. Twice before--Ariel Prieto (Western League) with the Athletics in 1995 and J.D. Drew (Northern) with the Cardinals in 1998--have players in independent leagues been picked in the first round.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

After winning the College World Series with Miami in 1999, Hill turned down the White Sox as a second-round pick and spent a year in the independent Atlantic League. Signed by the Cubs for $1.425 million, Hill debuted in Double-A in 2001. The only downside was a slowhealing groin injury that limited him to 60 games and still bothered him in the Arizona Fall League. Hill is a quintessential leadoff man. He's a switch-hitter who hits for average and has decent pop from both sides, draws walks and steals bases. A college shortstop, he shows lots of range at second base and turns the double play well. Scouts questioned whether Hill had the arm to remain at shortstop, but he has plenty for second base. He struck out a bit more than desired for a No. 1 hitter in 2001. He hit .345 while playing at 85 percent in the AFL, and he might have been ready to take over at second base for Eric Young had he played a full season. Now Delino DeShields will likely keep second base warm while Hill gets at least a couple of months in Triple-A.
Hill would have gotten a chance to win the White Sox' starting shortstop job in 2000 had he signed as a 1999 second-round pick after leading Miami to the College World Series title. But the two sides never came to terms, so he turned pro with Newark in the independent Atlantic League before the Cubs took him in the second round last June. Hill led the league in hits and on-base percentage (.442) and was named the shortstop on the postseason all-star team. He finally signed with Chicago in November for $1.425 million. Hill is the quintessential leadoff man and has been compared to a young Chuck Knoblauch in that regard. Hill hits for average, make contact and draws walks, and he's a basestealing threat once he gets on. He has solid range and hands for a middle infielder. While the Cubs believe Hill can play shortstop, they might be in the minority. Most scouts think he doesn't have enough arm to stick at short, prompting an eventual move to second base. Hill will break into the organization at Double-A, where the presence of shortstop Nate Frese may push him to second base. Big league second baseman Eric Young's contract expires after 2001, and in a perfect world Hill would be ready to take over then.

Minor League Top Prospects

Managers couldn't discuss Hill without using words like scrappy, gamer and competitive. They said the same things about Thurston, and the difference between the two players is that Hill is more gifted with tools. A switch-hitter, Hill is suited to bat leadoff because he hits line drives, draws walks and can swipe bases (his 85 percent rate of success led the PCL). He was more impatient than usual in two stints with the Cubs, perhaps because he tried to prove too much. Hill outplayed Delino DeShields for the second-base job in spring training, yet still was sent to Iowa. Considered the best defensive second baseman in the league, Hill has learned the double-play pivot after moving from shortstop. His main focus now is on improving his lateral quickness.
A groin injury sidelined Hill for about half the season. When healthy, he showed impressive offensive potential for a second baseman and steady if unspectacular defense. Hill is a solid leadoff man who can hit for average, draw walks and make consistent contact. In his pro debut, he proved to be a good hitter from both sides of the plate. While his line-drive stroke can produce some occasional power, he impressed managers most with his overall feel for hitting. "Bobby's not a big guy, but he's steady defensively and can turn the double play," Romero said. "He has above-average speed and can steal some bases, too. He makes contact and hits the ball all over the field from both sides. He's a pretty good player."