Rich Hill

2013

Subscribe now to see our 2013 outlook.

2012

Hill underwent a transformation to a sidearm delivery, pitching very effectively for both Triple-A Pawtucket and Boston before developing an elbow injury that led to Tommy John surgery in June. While it's tempting to think cause-and-effect, that the new arm slot caused the injury, Hill's doctor said stress on the elbow is the same regardless of arm slot. Hill will rehab into 2012 and resume his career as a sidearmer out of the pen.

2010

The Orioles coveted Hill for quite some time, but he flopped when he tried to freshen up his career after a change of scenery. An elbow injury early in the season and a shoulder injury late in the season didn't help matters, but his line with Baltimore was so atrocious it is difficult to envision a future in which Hill revives his career.

2009

Coming off a breakout campaign in 2007, Hill was viewed as a potential staff ace last season. But he struggled with his location during spring training and simply never got it back. As a result, he spent most of the year in the minors, but walked nearly a batter an inning at every level. Hill tried to straighten himself out this fall in the Venezuelan League, but the results were just as bad. At this point, it's unclear whether Hill will ever be able to resume his major league career.

2008

Hill solidified his credentials as a borderline major league ace last year, repeating his robust strikeout rate and even cutting down on the walk rate. Hill's weakness is still his propensity to give up flyballs and hence home runs, but even in that department he improved -- upping his G/F ratio from .60 to .83. A lefty with a low-90's fastball and devastating curve, the 28-year-old is just hitting his pitching prime and could join the elite if he continues to improve.

2007

After dominating the high minors but struggling during his major league call-ups, Hill finally broke through in the second half of 2006, striking out 79 batters in 80 major league innings after the All-Star break and walking just 24. Hill's second half ERA was 2.93, and his WHIP just 1.05, but he allowed too many fly balls, 11 of which left the park in the season's final three months. He throws in the low-90s and has a devastating curve ball, but his fly-ball rate could tie his fate to the volatile winds at Wrigley more than we'd like.

2006

Hill posted ungodly strikeout rates in the high minors, but gave up too many home runs. In his 25-inning stint in the majors, Hill struck out nearly a batter an inning, but his walk rate skyrocketed, and he continued to serve up the long ball. Combine that with an unluckily high hit rate, and Hill's first go-around was a rough one. Hill throws in the low-90s and has a sharp-breaking curve ball, but until he learns to command his pitches better, he's a long shot to see a spot in the Cubs rotation.