Nick Hill (baseball)

Nicholas Hill (born (1985-01-30)January 30, 1985 in Knoxville, Tennessee) is an American former professional baseball pitcher.

Nick Hill
Pitcher
Born: (1985-01-30) January 30, 1985
Knoxville, Tennessee
Bats: Left
Throws: Left

Army career

Hill was a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.[1][2][3][4] As an Army reserve there was still a possibility that Hill could have been sent overseas to Iraq or Afghanistan while he was playing in the Mariners farm system.[5] He was involved in an Army program that allowed athletes to apply for an early discharge after two years of active duty after they signed their contracts.[6][7] His active duty requirement expired in the 2009 season.[8]

Amateur career

High school

Hill graduated from Sullivan East High School in June 2003 where he was a three-time letterwinner and was named region player of the year and all-state selection as a senior. Hill established Tennessee state record by pitching 56 consecutive shutout innings.

College

In May 2007 Hill graduated from the United States Military Academy where he was named Patriot League Pitcher of the Year three times and earned First-Team All-Patriot League accolades four times.[9][10] Hill was named to second team All-America squads by the American Baseball Coaches' Association and Collegiate Baseball in 2005. He was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List in 2006 and 2007. Hill was also on the '07 Roger Clemens Award Watch List and the '06 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-America First Team. He was selected to '06 Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American Second Team and the United States national baseball team in the same year, becoming the first Army player since Steve Reich to play for Team USA. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 47th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft, but could not sign due to military obligations. During his time in college he played on the United States national baseball team.[11][12][9]

Professional career

Seattle Mariners

Hill was the Seattle Mariners' seventh round selection in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft; signed by Mariners scout Robert Mummau.[13][14][15] In his professional debut with the Short-Season Everett AquaSox he went 1–3 with a 0.51 ERA with two saves in 18 games in 2007.

He began the 2008 season with the Class-A High Desert Mavericks where he went 2–1 with one save and a 4.30 ERA in 25 relief appearances and 0–6 with a 4.65 ERA in 10 starts. He tossed a season-high 6+2⁄3 innings on June 2, while striking out a season-high seven batters in five innings on May 7. Hill appeared in nine games with the Double-A West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx from June 23 to July 12.

In 2009 Hill spent the entire season with the Diamond Jaxx going 5–6 with a 3.10 ERA, 100 strikeouts, 95+2⁄3 innings pitched in 36 games, nine starts. He and other Mariners' prospects were sent to the Arizona Fall League at the end of the season.[16][10]

References
  1. Jon Naito (July 12, 2007). "M's farmhand took unique path to pros". seattlepi.com. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  2. Bailey Stephens (July 25, 2009). "Hill doesn't miss a beat after return from Army". Minor League Baseball. web.minorleaguebaseball.com. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  3. "Army officer eyes return to pitching". sports.espn.go.com. Associated Press. February 19, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  4. Kary Booher (August 12, 2008). "Hill, Army Players Put Dreams On Hold". Baseball America. baseballamerica.com. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  5. Mariners pitching prospect Nick Hill hoping to go from lieutenant ... to majors?
  6. "Hill close to returning to pro mound". Times Herald-Record. February 20, 2009. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  7. "Peek into Nick Hill's mind". Times Herald-Record. February 19, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  8. Jim Street (November 11, 2009). "From Army to AFL for Mariners' Hill". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  9. McMillan, Ken (February 19, 2007). "Nick called fearless on the Hill". Times Herald-Record. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  10. Interdonato, Sal (May 18, 2013). "Army grad Hill's recovery progressing in Tennessee". Times Herald-Record. Archived from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  11. "USA Baseball names 22 players to national team". sports.espn.go.com. Associated Press. July 3, 2006. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  12. "USA Baseball National Team Rules Chinese Taipei 12–1". Major League Baseball. mlb.mlb.com. August 11, 2006. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  13. "Nick Hill, Milan Dinga Selected Early In First-Year Player Draft". Hudson Valley Press. hvpress.net. June 8, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  14. "Mariners make 51 selections in 2007 Draft". Major League Baseball. mlb.mlb.com. June 8, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  15. Rodriguez, Justin (March 22, 2010). "Army grad Hill still climbing toward big leagues". Times Herald-Record. Archived from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  16. Jim Street (August 25, 2009). "Seattle to send top prospects to AFL". Major League Baseball. mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
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