Tigers To Sign Derek Hill

The Tigers are in agreement with No. 23 overall pick Derek Hill, reports Jim Callis of MLB.com (on Twitter). Hill will receive a $2MM bonus, according to Callis, which is slightly higher than the $1.953MM value assigned to that slot.

Callis praises the California prep center fielder’s speed and bat in his tweet, and a look at the scouting report put together by him and colleague Jonathan Mayo at MLB.com shows that the duo feel that Hill is one of the fastest players and best defenders in the high school class. He’s run sub-6.4 second times in the 60-yard dash and also has a stronger arm than most of his peers. MLB.com ranked him 20th among draft prospects, while ESPN’s Keith Law ranked him 11th and Baseball America ranked him 22nd. Law noted that there’s a chance Hill ends up as a fourth outfielder, but he has the potential to be an impact leadoff hitter that can steal bases and play elite defense in center. There doesn’t appear to be much power projection with Hill, though BA likes his quick right-handed stroke and notes that he rarely swings and misses within the strike zone.

The Tigers entered the draft with $4.892MM to spend, and they’ve allocated more than 40 percent of that budget to Hill by signing him over slot. They’ve also agreed to a full-slot deal with third-rounder Grayson Greiner that will pay him $549,200.