Shawn Hill

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #25 prospect in 2007
  Hill appeared on the verge of cementing a rotation spot in Washington in 2004, when he also went 1-0, 1.64 in 11 innings for Canada in the Olympics. But Tommy John surgery ended his season prematurely, and he missed all of 2005 while rehabbing. Hill returned to the mound in 2006 and got off to a terrific start in Double-A, going 2-1, 1.86 with 22 strikeouts and just three walks in 29 innings in April. He pitched well in the big leagues before experiencing tightness in his surgically repaired elbow in June and missing nearly all of the second half. Hill relies on an 88-92 mph sinker that he spots to both sides of the plate. He also has good command of a solid curveball and adequate changeup. With an athletic frame, Hill fields his position well, and he is a fearless competitor. The Nationals hope he'll be ready to withstand the rigors of a full season in 2007, with his surgery more than two years behind him. Assuming he's healthy--not necessarily the safest assumption--he should earn a spot in a wide-open big league rotation out of spring training, and he profiles as a solid back-of-the-rotation starter.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #16 prospect in 2006
  Hill first injured his elbow in high school and pitched with discomfort for years before it finally caught up with him in 2004. After posting his second straight solid Double-A season and making his big league debut, Hill went 1-0, 1.64 in 11 innings for Team Canada in the Olympics. Upon his return to the organization, he needed Tommy John surgery that kept him out for all of 2005. The Nationals expect him to be ready to pitch by spring training. When he was healthy, Hill commanded a heavy low-90s sinker that induced plenty of groundballs, and he complemented it with a good curveball and decent changeup. Hill has an athletic frame and draws comparisons to a stonger version of Jake Westbrook because of his size and stuff. He's mature and ready to compete for a spot in the big league rotation once his recovery is complete. Hill has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter by 2007.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #16 prospect in 2005
  Hill pitched for Canada at the 2003 Olympic qualifying tournament, but he was in the big leagues when the team set its roster for the Athens Games last year and was left off initially. When the Rockies promoted Jeff Francis to the majors, however, Canada needed a pitcher and turned back to Hill, who was back in Double-A. He pitched well in Athens, beating the Netherlands in the round-robin and holding a 3-2 lead over eventual champion Cuba in the semifinals before Canada's bullpen collapsed. When he returned to the United States, the elbow discomfort Hill had battled for years finally stopped him in his tracks, and he had Tommy John surgery. When he returns to the mound, possibly late in the 2005 season, Hill's velocity could improve. Even with a sore elbow, he threw a heavy 89-92 mph sinker that made him a groundball machine. He also has an improving curveball and changeup to go with a good feel for pitching. Over the past two seasons, he has matured physically and mentally, understanding that he won't blow most hitters away. Still just 22, Hill could vie for a big league job in 2006.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #6 prospect in 2004
  After a lethargic April, Hill found his groove in 2003. He won 12 games for the second straight year and represented Canada in the Futures Game at midseason. He finished the season in Double-A and joined Team Canada for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Panama. Hill threw his sinker at 90-91 mph consistently all year. He also showed an effective curveball and changeup, along with excellent control. With the help of Brevard County pitching coach Mark Grater, he cleaned up his mechanics and improved his arm speed. For someone who was more of a shortstop as a Canadian amateur, Hill is polished. Because he doesn't have an overpowering pitch, Hill doesn't miss a lot of bats. That leaves him little margin for error, though his command has allowed him to succeed. He needs to maintain his delivery because when he rushes his sinker rises. Hill boosted his stock more than any pitcher in the system. He should begin 2004 in Double-A and projects as a mid-rotation workhorse in the majors.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #23 prospect in 2003
  Hill was one of the system's most consistent pitchers in 2002, winning 12 games and making the low Class A Midwest League all-star game in his first taste of full-season ball. He was primarily a shortstop as a Canadian amateur, not moving to the mound until 1998. He's polished in all facets of pitching despite his relative inexperience. Hill has a long, loose arm and solid mechanics. He throws a heavy 88-92 mph sinker that induces lots of ground balls. He doesn't beat himself because he throws strikes. When he doesn't have his best stuff, he's resourceful enough to get by on what he has. Hill also commands a sharp curveball and has a good feel for his changeup. He throws both his offspeed pitches at 73-78 mph. Montreal will continue moving him one level at a time, promoting him to high Class A this year.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #19 prospect in 2002
  Hill was a shortstop for his Ontario Connie Mack team before converting to the mound four years ago. For a raw Canadian with very little pitching experience, he's a very polished pitcher. He has a balanced delivery with a long, loose arm action and very good extension. He has a projectable body with big, wide shoulders. Hill uses an 89-92 mph two-seam fastball to get ground balls. He pitches to both sides of the plate and his fastball command is outstanding. He also has a sharp curveball and good feel for a changeup, both of which he throws at 73-78 mph. Limited to seven starts at short-season Vermont last year before getting shut down with a tired arm, Hill will make his full-season debut with Clinton in 2002.