Aaron Hill (baseball player)
Encyclopedia
Aaron Walter Hill is an American professional baseball
second baseman
in Major League Baseball
. Hill was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays
in the first round (13th overall) of the 2003 MLB First Year Draft
.
. While on their way to a round of golf, a college student narrowly missed Hill's car and slammed into his mother's car following behind him. His mother was killed as a result.
and play for the varsity Tigers baseball team. While at LSU, Hill posted a career .335 batting average with 23 home runs and 150 RBIs.
. Although he was brought up as a shortstop
, Hill appeared as a third baseman
, designated hitter
and second baseman
during the course of the season. He finished the 2005 season with a .274 batting average
, .348 OBP
, and 25 doubles
in 361 at-bats
. After the trade of Orlando Hudson
to the Arizona Diamondbacks
, Hill became the starting second baseman for the Blue Jays in 2006, but was moved back to shortstop mid-season after the demotion of Russ Adams
. After experiencing defensive struggles at shortstop, he was then moved back to second base, with John McDonald taking over at shortstop.
On May 29, 2007, in a game at home against the New York Yankees
with Andy Pettitte
pitching, Hill became only the second player in Blue Jays history to accomplish a "straight steal" of home.
Hill won a Fielding Bible Award
at second base for his fielding excellence in 2007.
On April 4, 2008, Hill agreed to a four-year, $12 million deal that includes a club option that could run through the 2014 season. The contract could be worth as much as $38 million if Toronto keeps Hill in the fold for all seven years of the deal, which took effect immediately.
On May 29, Hill suffered a Grade II concussion in a collision with teammate David Eckstein
during a game against the Oakland Athletics
. He missed the remainder of the season.
Hill returned from his concussion in spring training
. On July 5, 2009 Hill was rewarded for his play by being selected by managers and players to play in the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis. Hill finished the 2009 season with 36 home runs, 108 runs batted in, a batting average of .286, and 37 doubles. After the season, Hill received the 2009 AL Comeback Player of the Year. He also was honored with his second Fielding Bible Award.
Prior to the first game of the 2011 season, the Blue Jays announced that they had declined the three option years on Hill's contract. Hill was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 24, retroactive to April 20, with a strained hamstring.
. Hill hit his first home run as a Diamondback on August 28 against the San Diego Padres
, a two-run shot to right field off starter Cory Luebke
.
After the 2011 season, the Diamondbacks resigned Hill to a 2-year, $11 million dollar contract extension.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. Hill was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in the first round (13th overall) of the 2003 MLB First Year Draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
.
Early life
At age 15, Hill and friends were participating in a soccer tournament in Park City, UtahPark City, Utah
Park City is a town in Summit and Wasatch counties in the U.S. state of Utah. It is considered to be part of the Wasatch Back. The city is southeast of downtown Salt Lake City and from Salt Lake City's east edge of Sugar House along Interstate 80. The population was 7,558 at the 2010 census...
. While on their way to a round of golf, a college student narrowly missed Hill's car and slammed into his mother's car following behind him. His mother was killed as a result.
College career
Hill was originally drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the 7th round of the June 2000 Draft. Hill turned down the offer, opting to attend Louisiana State UniversityLouisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
and play for the varsity Tigers baseball team. While at LSU, Hill posted a career .335 batting average with 23 home runs and 150 RBIs.
Toronto Blue Jays
Hill was Toronto's first draft pick (13th overall) in the 2003 MLB Draft, and he made his major league debut on May 20, 2005, after being called up from the minor leagues a day earlier as an injury replacement for Corey KoskieCorey Koskie
Cordel Leonard "Corey" Koskie is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.-Baseball career:...
. Although he was brought up as a shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, Hill appeared as a third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
, designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
and second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
during the course of the season. He finished the 2005 season with a .274 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, .348 OBP
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
, and 25 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
in 361 at-bats
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
. After the trade of Orlando Hudson
Orlando Hudson
Orlando Thill Hudson is an American professional baseball second baseman with the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball.-Early life and high school career:...
to the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
, Hill became the starting second baseman for the Blue Jays in 2006, but was moved back to shortstop mid-season after the demotion of Russ Adams
Russ Adams
Russ Moore Adams is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets organizations. Adams bats left-handed and throws with his right hand....
. After experiencing defensive struggles at shortstop, he was then moved back to second base, with John McDonald taking over at shortstop.
On May 29, 2007, in a game at home against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
with Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...
pitching, Hill became only the second player in Blue Jays history to accomplish a "straight steal" of home.
Hill won a Fielding Bible Award
Fielding Bible Award
A Fielding Bible Award recognizes the best defensive player for each fielding position in Major League Baseball based on statistical analysis. John Dewan and Baseball Info Solutions conduct the annual selection process...
at second base for his fielding excellence in 2007.
On April 4, 2008, Hill agreed to a four-year, $12 million deal that includes a club option that could run through the 2014 season. The contract could be worth as much as $38 million if Toronto keeps Hill in the fold for all seven years of the deal, which took effect immediately.
On May 29, Hill suffered a Grade II concussion in a collision with teammate David Eckstein
David Eckstein
David Mark Eckstein is a former American professional baseball player who was an infielder in Major League Baseball for ten seasons. He played college baseball for the University of Florida, and has played professionally for the Anaheim Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona...
during a game against the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. He missed the remainder of the season.
Hill returned from his concussion in spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. On July 5, 2009 Hill was rewarded for his play by being selected by managers and players to play in the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis. Hill finished the 2009 season with 36 home runs, 108 runs batted in, a batting average of .286, and 37 doubles. After the season, Hill received the 2009 AL Comeback Player of the Year. He also was honored with his second Fielding Bible Award.
Prior to the first game of the 2011 season, the Blue Jays announced that they had declined the three option years on Hill's contract. Hill was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 24, retroactive to April 20, with a strained hamstring.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On August 23, 2011, Hill and John McDonald were traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for second baseman Kelly JohnsonKelly Johnson (baseball)
Kelly Andrew Johnson is a Major League Baseball second baseman.-Atlanta Braves:Johnson was drafted in the first round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves...
. Hill hit his first home run as a Diamondback on August 28 against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, a two-run shot to right field off starter Cory Luebke
Cory Luebke
Cory Robert Luebke is a professional baseball player for the San Diego Padres. He attended the Marion Local High School and The Ohio State University. He was pick number 63 in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. ....
.
After the 2011 season, the Diamondbacks resigned Hill to a 2-year, $11 million dollar contract extension.
Awards
- 2001–01 Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American
- 2002–02 United States National Team Member
- 2003 – Southeastern ConferenceSoutheastern ConferenceThe Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
Player of the Year - 2003 – Baseball AmericaBaseball AmericaBaseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
First-Team All-American - 2003 – Collegiate Baseball Second-Team All-American
- 2003 – USA TodayUSA TodayUSA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
Second-Team All-American - 2003 – ABCAAmerican Baseball Coaches AssociationThe American Baseball Coaches Association is a baseball coaching organization formed in 1945. It is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level.-History:...
Second-Team All-American - 2003 – ABCA First-Team All-South Region
- 2003 – NCAA Baton Rouge Regional All-Tournament Team
- 2003 – SEC All-Tournament Team
- 2003 – Short Season All-Star Team (Baseball AmericaBaseball AmericaBaseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
) - 2003 – Prospect of the year (New York - Penn LeagueNew York - Penn LeagueThe New York – Penn League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the northeastern United States. It is classified as a "Short-Season A" league; its season starts in June, after major-league teams have signed their amateur draft picks to professional contracts, and ends in early...
– A) - 2003 – New York – Penn League All-Star Team (A) (Shortstop)
- 2004 – Eastern League (U.S. baseball)Eastern League (U.S. baseball)The Eastern League is a minor league baseball league which operates primarily in the northeastern United States, although it has had a team in Ohio since 1989. The Eastern League has played at the AA level since 1963. The league was founded in 1923 as the New York-Pennsylvania League...
All-Star Team (AA) (Shortstop) - 2004 – MVP of All-Star Futures GameAll-Star Futures GameThe All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
- 2007 – Fielding Bible AwardFielding Bible AwardA Fielding Bible Award recognizes the best defensive player for each fielding position in Major League Baseball based on statistical analysis. John Dewan and Baseball Info Solutions conduct the annual selection process...
at second base - 2009 – representative of American League at 2009 MLB All-Star Game
- 2009 – American League 2009 Comeback Player of the Year
- 2009 – American League second baseman Silver SluggerSilver SluggerThe Silver Slugger Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball...
award - 2009 – Fielding Bible Award at second base