Koyie Hill
| AB | 951 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .207 |
| OBP | .266 |
| SLG | .287 |
| HR | 8 |
- Full name Koyie Dolan Hill
- Born 03/09/1979 in Tulsa, OK
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: S / Throws: R
- School Wichita State
- Debut 09/05/2003
- Drafted in the 4th round (117th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2000.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Hill looked like the Dodgers' catcher of the future after they dealt Paul Lo Duca to the Marlins, but that lasted less than 24 hours as he was shipped to Arizona in the deal that netted Steve Finley. Placed immediately into Arizona's starting lineup, Hill hit his first major league home run off Pittsburgh's Jose Mesa, but his stint lasted just 13 games when he broke his ankle in a home-plate collision. A switch-hitter with a contact-oriented approach, Hill's power took a major step forward in 2004, as he passed his previous career-high in home runs by mid-July. An infielder in high school and college, Hill was converted to catcher after being drafted and his defense still lags behind. He has a strong arm, but is easy to run on because it takes too long for him to get rid of the ball. He could use a more patient approach at the plate, especially as he begins to look for more pitches to drive. Hill's ankle is expected to be fine for spring training and he will battle Chris Snyder for the starting catcher's job. -
Hill was disappointed to start 2003 back in Double-A for a second straight season, but David Ross blocked him in Triple-A. Hill turned his year around after a promotion to Las Vegas in May. A line-drive hitter with a level swing from both sides of the plate, Hill makes consistent contact and sprays the ball to all fields, showing enough power to carry the alleys. A patient hitter, Hill rarely chases bad pitches. A third baseman in college, Hill converted to catcher after signing. He has good hands, athleticism and arm strength but must improve his receiving mechanics, release and throwing accuracy. He nabbed just 27 percent of basestealers in 2003. His walk rate plummeted last year, though his strikeout rate did as well. He's a well below-average runner. If the Dodgers can trade Paul Lo Duca, Hill will share the big league catching job with Ross. Though he has work to do behind the plate, Hill already is better defensively than Lo Duca and won't be a significant dropoff offensively. -
Hill batted .354 as a three-year starting third baseman at Wichita State and led the Missouri Valley Conference with a .391 average as a junior. He was converted to catcher after signing in 2000. He led Jacksonville with 11 homers last year, then batted .307 in the Arizona Fall League. Hill has a pretty line-drive stroke with quick hands, and a disciplined approach from both sides of the plate. He shows the ability to drive the ball from the left side and projects to hit for average power. Hill has improved his game-calling and throwing, erasing 33 percent of basestealers last year. His arm strength and receiving skills are above-average. His makeup and feel for the game are on par with Joey Thurston's as the best in the organization. Hill is a well-rounded player without any glaring deficiencies. Still inexperienced as a catcher, he committed a Southern League-leading 17 errors after making 16 in 2001. Hill skipped a level a year ago and will move to Triple-A this season. With Paul LoDuca signed for two more years, the Dodgers have enviable catching depth. They won't need to rush Hill, who profiles as an everyday backstop. -
A third baseman who led the Missouri Valley Conference in batting average as a junior at Wichita State, Hill started catching at short-season Yakima after being drafted by the Dodgers in the fourth round in 2000. He made significant strides last year in low Class A to emerge as the organization's top catching prospect. Hill has the potential to be an offensive catcher with power from both sides of the plate. While his arm strength is average, he has excellent footwork and makes easy transfers from his glove to his hand, averaging 1.9 seconds on his throws to second. Hill also has shown a knack for calling a game, and he has attracted raves from his pitchers on the way he handles game situations. Hill didn't become a full-time catcher until spring training in 2001. His overall awareness behind the plate could use some improvement. His next stop will be high Class A. -
Hill made a strong pro debut last summer, impressing Northwest League managers with his ability to swing the bat. One skipper said Hill has the potential to develop into a Greg Colbrunn type with his ability to play the corner infield positions as well as catcher, all the while providing some power. A solid defensive third baseman at Wichita State with good hands and an above-average arm, Hill saw activity at catcher in Yakima. His inexperience was obvious, resulting in several catcher-interference calls. The Dodgers liked Hill's footwork and overall athleticism at the position and are planning to give him more catching experience in a full-season league in 2001. As a hitter, Hill uses the entire field and can drive the ball to all fields. He needs better plate coverage and must get ahead in the count more often. While he may be a work in progress, Hill has the versatility to develop into a productive utilityman.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Hill continued to amaze with his preternatural ability as a catcher despite being in just his second full season at that position. He has a quick release that enabled him to erase 33 percent of basestealers this year, and he also receives well. Jacksonville manager Dino Ebel praised his ability to handle a pitching staff. Hill doesn't have great power, but he's an adept switch-hitter who offers occasional pop. He had some peaks and valleys at the plate in 2002, and at times seemed more adept at hitting breaking pitches than fastballs. -
Wilmington manager Dino Ebel swears Hill will play in the big leagues and Hill makes it difficult to argue. Though he was a bit old for the SAL at 22, he did lots of things right in his first full season as a pro. A switch-hitter, Hill led Wilmington with 47 walks and demonstrated enough power and speed to project as a 20-20 big leaguer. The Dodgers are making a catcher out of a college third baseman, and Hill is responding well. His throwing arm is above average, he works well with pitchers and he moves exceptionally well behind the plate. Some of his mechanics need attention, a project for instructional league.
