Aaron Hill

2013

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2012

It's been a disappointing ride for Hill since his 36-homer, 108-RBI breakout in 2009, but he seemed to find his stroke again after the Blue Jays traded him to the D-Backs for Kelly Johnson in August. When his batting average plunged toward the Mendoza Line in 2010, it was the byproduct of a sharp increase in his flyball rate (career-high 54.2 percent). Although the results weren't much better in 2011, the batted ball profile returned to Hill's career norms and there's a glimmer of hope that he may be able to return to the 20-25 homer range, albeit with a mediocre average and low OBP. Fortunately, he'll continue to benefit from a hitter-friendly home park as the D-Backs re-signed him in November with a two-year deal to remain their everyday second baseman.

2011

Hill saw his homers (26) predictably drop from the career-high 36 of the previous season, but it was the ugly .205 batting average that torpedoed his season. He hit just .196 on balls he put in play, a far cry from his career mark (.288) and hit more like Benny Hill against southpaws (.125/.226/.225 in 120 at-bats) after punishing them in 2009 (.298/.335/.561). Expect similar power numbers and a better batting average out of the team's everyday second baseman.

2010

Hill rebounded in a big, big way in 2009 after being limited to just 55 games the previous season with a concussion. The outburst, including a career-high 36 home runs and 108 RBI, didn't appear to coincide with a new approach at the plate as he drew just 42 walks and struck out 98 times in 734 plate appearances, figures that are in line with his career marks, so expecting a repeat performance may be wish-casting. He'll be back as the team's unquestioned starter at second base, but expect a significant price hike on the heels of his 2009 performance.

2009

Hill was limited to just 55 games due to a concussion so it remains to be seen if the power spike (17 homers) he flashed in 2007 was for real. He was slugging just .361 at the time of his injury, an ominous sign for those banking on his power being legitimate. We'll have a better idea on his recovery from the concussion when exhibition play begins, but all signs point to a full recovery. He'll be back in the mix for the team's starting second base job.

2008

Hill saw a massive spike in power despite a degrading batting eye (41:102 BB:K), which makes it tough to project his improvement going forward. He had poor months (.396 slugging in May, .381 in June and .382 in August), but a hot September (.406/.434/.585) saved a fading season. There's more evidence that screams "fluke" than "legit", so tread carefully here.

2007

Hill bounced around between second base and shortstop as needed in 2006, but figures to settle in as the starting second baseman following the signing of Royce Clayton. There's not much power here, and he's expected to hit in the bottom third of the lineup again despite the departure of Frank Catalanotto.

2006

Promoted to the majors when Corey Koskie was injured, Hill provided an immediate jolt to the Blue Jays lineup, hitting .359 through June. He slumped badly to .226 from that point on, however. There's almost no power in his bat, but he did manage to play all over the infield, which gives him some added fantasy value. With the trade of Orlando Hudson, Hill enters spring training as the likely starter at second base.

2005

Hill will be moved to either second or third base soon, likely depending on whether Toronto can get out from under Eric Hinske's contract or if they can sign Orlando Hudson past his arbitration years. His bat won't be anything special at the hot corner since his power has been slow to come around, but an excellent 63/61 BB/K ratio at Double-A shows there's room for a power spike.

2004

The only knock on Hill is his limited range in the field, so a move to second base figures to be his future as long as Russ Adams develops. Toronto's first pick in the 2003 draft, his power evaporated in a brief stint at Single-A. He'll move up the chain over the next year and half.