The Tigers have designated outfielder Derek Hill for assignment, per a club announcement. His spot on the 40-man roster will go to lefty Andrew Chafin, who has been reinstated from the restricted list. Detroit also optioned righty Angel De Jesus to Triple-A Toledo to open an active roster spot for Chafin.
There’ll be more moves for the Tigers before too long — and not only because of tomorrow’s trade deadline. Chris McCosky of the Detroit News tweets that the Tigers will also need to make a pair of moves tomorrow, when righties Matt Manning and Wily Peralta are reinstated from the injured list.
Hill was the organization’s first-round pick back in 2014. The speedy outfielder was one of the more interesting prospects in the system for an extended stretch based on his baserunning and defense, but his bat hasn’t caught up to his glove. He’s appeared in the big leagues in each of the past three seasons, but he owns a .240/.291/.339 line with four home runs and a strikeout rate just below 30% through 254 plate appearances.
The 26-year-old Hill has also struggled mightily with Toledo this season. He’s hitting .217/.269/.325 in 30 Triple-A games, leading to his removal from the roster. He’ll presumably be placed on waivers over the next few days.
Would be a nice pickup either for the Orioles or Marlins for depth only.
For defense and speed, but sub-par hit tool.
The marlins and orioles only have 40 spots on the 40 man roster like every other team.
Not to be left out……
I predict the Tigers get shut out in the trade market over the next 24 hrs. Every GM knows, “Don’t offer much to the Tigers. Wait til Avila gets desperate.” The issue will be if Avila accepts someone else’s Derek Hill or stands pat. Either way, Tigers will lose the deal.
Jays could dump Zimmer and give him a look even if he is right handed. Might be a lateral move though
The entire reason why zimmer is on the roster is because he’s left handed and plays great cf d. So his replacement needs to be left handed why can’t jays fans understand the jays need LH hitters.
I understand that, Zimmer just doesn’t hit anything.
I literally said “even though he’s right handed” implying I know about platoons and the right handedness of the Jays lineup smh, Jerk.
While Hill has been injury prone, until given regular ab’s in the big leagues, it won’t be known what he can actually do with the bat.
Yeah, too bad about the injuries, I really would have liked to see what he could do…..he got some big hits for us last year when he DID play. PERHAPS he will re-sign with The Tigers.
It difficult to deal from a position of weakness
Its difficult to deal from a position of weakness
Another great Tigers first round pick..
He should sign with Tampa & he would start hitting instantly & with power!
Tampa will make him a star!
Oh yeah, name one example ! 🙂
This is yet another indictment of the dismal state of affairs with hitting instruction in the Tigers organization. Someone will straighten him out.
I like Hill better than Grossman.
No MLB team can afford to carry a guy with Hill’s profile. A pinch runner at best, he offers negative value on offense, you can’t even give him AB’s.
Derek Hill wasn’t given a fair chance. He should’ve been the CF while Gardenhire was manager but they wasted the opportunity using JaCoby Jones and anyone else. No one complains about Kevin Kiermeier’s or JBJ’s bats. If a team is building around pitching, Derek Hill is an outstanding CF.
Derek Hill was considered the best high school centerfield since Tori Hunter. That says a lot. Hopefully a playoff team picks him up to pinch run or a great defensive replacement.