Rich Hill Named PCL Pitcher of the Week

Laura · June 6, 2006

Pacific Coast League
Rich Hill, Iowa
1-0, 1.29 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 14.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 21 SO
Hill received a demotion to Iowa after going 0-4 with a hideous 9.31 ERA over four starts for the Chicago Cubs. Now, he's bidding to once again make it to the Major Leagues. On Tuesday, the 26-year-old left-hander allowed just two hits over seven shutout innings as Iowa edged Nashville, 2-1. Even more impressively, he struck out 14 batters without issuing a walk. Hill has logged 44 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level and has struck out 61 batters while walking just nine in that span. Is a return trip to Chicago in his future?

abuck1220 · June 6, 2006

he also made today's BA hot sheet at #5.

5. Rich Hill, lhp, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa)
No one had a better week then Hill as the lefthander went 1-0, 1.29 with 21 strikeouts and one walk in fourteen innings. Has been dominant in six of his seven starts, and allowed six of the 12 earned runs he's given up this season in the other.

synergy · June 6, 2006

too bad he's an AAAA pitcher.

Neuby · June 6, 2006

I still think Hill if he doesn't pan out as a starter could make a solid back end of the bullpen guy.

mhuber92211 · June 6, 2006

if ever a guy was screaming for a change of scenery its this guy. Get him out of this organization and he would suceed.

soccer10k · June 6, 2006

Why couldn't Hill have pitched well when I watched him when Iowa played in Sacramento? I got to see him get hit hard enough while he was on the Cubs.

Hopefully he figures out how to be successful at the major league level and hopefully that success is with the Cubs.

RyCubsFan · June 6, 2006

if ever a guy was screaming for a change of scenery its this guy. Get him out of this organization and he would suceed.

I have to disagree. He still hasn't had many starts on the Cubs. Take Corey for instance. He had several YEARS to try to turn it around (though i still prob wouldn't have traded him). Hill has not even had a half of season's worth of starts for the Cubs in the majors.

People are expecting WAY too much too quickly. Hill has NOT worn out his welcome. He should get another chance on the Cubs. Patience all.

CubinNY · June 6, 2006

too bad he's an AAAA pitcher.

You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, none.

Hill has not had near enough oppportunity to show what he can do. I said it before and I'll say it again, jerking a pitcher from starting in the minors to relieving in the majors, to starting in the minors, to spot starting in the majors, to relieving in the majors, to starting in the minors, to starting in the majors is not the way to develop a pitcher. Each time Hill has started in the majors his "life" was on the line. Not everyone is Wood or Prior. Hell, Baylor could decide if Z was a starter.

BeerHere · June 6, 2006

Hell, Baylor could decide if Z was a starter.

Agreed. Baylor had/has no clue. Hill should be given a better opportunity to show what he can do. Unfortunately I think it will be for another organization when he gets dealt at the deadline for a bat.

mg420 · June 6, 2006

Hell, Baylor could decide if Z was a starter.

Agreed. Baylor had/has no clue. Hill should be given a better opportunity to show what he can do. Unfortunately I think it will be for another organization when he gets dealt at the deadline for a bat.

with the state of the pitching staff, the cubs would be insane to trade hill imo. after this year, wood & maddux will most likely be gone, the health of prior & miller is questionable, williams & rusch are boderline at best & guzman has control issues & has never pitched a full season in the minors. that leaves Z, marshall & perhaps marmol. as poor as the offense has been, its been the starting pitching which has sunk this team imo. i hope the cubs dont make another mistake as they did with nolasco and we have to watch hill find his control in the majors with another team.

CubDad4Ever · June 6, 2006

Hills ills have to do with his lack of command . Quit blaming the coachs thats BS. Marshall has excelled in the same circumstances. Ive watched Hill a lot. Throw quality strikes and stay in the big leagues. End of story. Coach L

goonys evil twin · June 6, 2006

Hills ills have to do with his lack of command . Quit blaming the coachs thats BS. Marshall has excelled in the same circumstances. Ive watched Hill a lot. Throw quality strikes and stay in the big leagues. End of story. Coach L

Almost all Cubs pitchers struggle with command, so I'd say coaching plays a roll. But the biggest complaint is that he's not given a reasonable opportunity to get over his struggles. I don't get why a 7+ ERA guy like Rusch gets a free pass but Hill has to take the demotion and be criticized by his manager and GM for sticking up for a teammate.

KaiserCesar · June 6, 2006

His control has been good in the minors, but doesn't happen in the big show. It leads me to believe its between the ears. I think if he didn't have to worry about being jerked around after 1 bad outing, you'd see some improvement. He's really close, and there's still hope. Chances are he will be needed next year.

CubDad4Ever · June 6, 2006

Two things Goony. Rusch did not get a free pass. He got dropped from the rotation. The cubs were starting 3 rookies at one time. Rusch has also proven way more as a starter than Hill at the big league level over the past two years. The young guys dont get a chance in pitching is a huge reach. I have a problem with the staff command also. The bigger bottom line is the cubs need a healthy prior and wood on this team , or they are screwed.

CubinNY · June 6, 2006

Rusch started 3 days ago because of one "good" outing in relief where he gave up four runs in four innings.

Banedon · June 6, 2006

Two things Goony. Rusch did not get a free pass. He got dropped from the rotation. The cubs were starting 3 rookies at one time. Rusch has also proven way more as a starter than Hill at the big league level over the past two years. The young guys dont get a chance in pitching is a huge reach. I have a problem with the staff command also. The bigger bottom line is the cubs need a healthy prior and wood on this team , or they are screwed.

Um...what does the bolded section have to do with Rich Hill?

Glendon has career 4.94 ERA, a record of 59-91, 1561 hits allowed in 1350 2/3's innings. He has had one, one season under 4.00 ERA. What's he proven as a starter?

goonys evil twin · June 6, 2006

Two things Goony. Rusch did not get a free pass. He got dropped from the rotation. The cubs were starting 3 rookies at one time. Rusch has also proven way more as a starter than Hill at the big league level over the past two years. The young guys dont get a chance in pitching is a huge reach. I have a problem with the staff command also. The bigger bottom line is the cubs need a healthy prior and wood on this team , or they are screwed.

Um...what does the bolded section have to do with Rich Hill?

Glendon has career 4.94 ERA, a record of 59-91, 1561 hits allowed in 1350 2/3's innings. He has had one, one season under 4.00 ERA. What's he proven as a starter?

That he sucks.

Chocolate Milk · June 6, 2006

I hope Hill continues to recoup his trade value.

CubDad4Ever · June 6, 2006

He sucks like many starters on many big league rosters including playoff teams. He has given the cubs two decent years as a starter. The rusch thing was not brought up by me , but by the vet police. I love any guy from our system who can produce.

But hill lacks command so far in the bigs. If he does not improve it he will be a loogy at best. Coach L

ConstableRabbit · June 6, 2006

Hasn't Hill been awesome all year at Iowa anyway? Low walks, and a good BB/K ratio, as well as a very good ERA.

Yet, when he comes up, for whatever reason, he loses control and composure. I'm sure his most recent numbers in AAA are good for his confidence, but I'm not going to get too excited until he shows that he can control himself in the actual NL.

Balsa · June 6, 2006

So remind why he sucks in the Big Leagues again?

Missing a 3rd pitch? Can't hit the strike zone? Walks tons of batters? All in the head?

I mean seriously. How much longer can we leave him to decimate AAA batters until we call him up again?

Mizzou · June 6, 2006

Trade him NOW.

Ding Dong Johnson · June 6, 2006

Trade him NOW.

What he said.

Monco · June 7, 2006

Last year Hill seemed to throw all curves.His starts this year he threw mainly fastballs.I have to question whose calling his pitches.Alot of guys are in AAA because they can't hit the curve. He has a good curve and dominates AAA with his.Plus,he is 26 years old. In the majors you need more than 1 pitch. That 90 mph fastball with no movement ain't gonna cut it. I would have liked to have seen him traded in the offseason when he was so highly touted. I have little faith in the Cubs aquiring something of value for him. When the Cubs give up on someone,they basically give him away. Sosa,Patterson,Cruz, etc.

mg420 · June 7, 2006

Last year Hill seemed to throw all curves.His starts this year he threw mainly fastballs.I have to question whose calling his pitches.Alot of guys are in AAA because they can't hit the curve. He has a good curve and dominates AAA with his.Plus,he is 26 years old. In the majors you need more than 1 pitch. That 90 mph fastball with no movement ain't gonna cut it. I would have liked to have seen him traded in the offseason when he was so highly touted. I have little faith in the Cubs aquiring something of value for him. When the Cubs give up on someone,they basically give him away. Sosa,Patterson,Cruz, etc.

i agree with you about the pitch calling thing. i really wonder how a pitcher can get into a groove with the dugout calling his pitches. i noticed in his last start that the catcher looks over before every pitch when hill is on the mound. what a stupid practice imo. hill seems to be ok with pitch selection in iowa so why mess with it when he comes up? i think pitch calling is right up there with the towel drill as far as effectiveness goes.

Rich Hill Named PCL Pitcher of the Week

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