Rich Hill Named PCL Pitcher of the Week

[CubfaninCA]

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.

 

rusch got a free pass to the pen.

[CubfaninCA]

Trade him NOW.

 

Agree. Let him dominate Iowa and trade him to a small market team that can plug him in as a 5th starter.

[synergy]

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.

 

yea ok....so should we just put him in the rotation and let him get beat up in the majors? Don't pull him out and let's see how he pans out. Is that your suggestion? He has 2 pitches. 1 mediocre fastball and 1 good curve. I think Marshall has a better curve. hill just doesn't have the mental makeup to play in Chicago, not everyone can deal with the fans. Maybe if he goes to a smaller market he will be successful.

[Guest]

I think the proper thing to do with Hill is to put him in middle relief at this point. He clearly knows how to get minor league hitters out. He needs to take that next step and working middle relief before hitting the rotation is a strategy that has shown to be effective for a long time in situations where the kid isn't able to just step right into the rotation for whatever reason.

[Banedon]

I think the proper thing to do with Hill is to put him in middle relief at this point. He clearly knows how to get minor league hitters out. He needs to take that next step and working middle relief before hitting the rotation is a strategy that has shown to be effective for a long time in situations where the kid isn't able to just step right into the rotation for whatever reason.

 

Same for Guzman? Middle relief when he comes up again, whenever that may be.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I think the proper thing to do with Hill is to put him in middle relief at this point. He clearly knows how to get minor league hitters out. He needs to take that next step and working middle relief before hitting the rotation is a strategy that has shown to be effective for a long time in situations where the kid isn't able to just step right into the rotation for whatever reason.

 

Is that the strategy for Marmol, is it just coincidence, or does he project to be a reliever?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I think the proper thing to do with Hill is to put him in middle relief at this point. He clearly knows how to get minor league hitters out. He needs to take that next step and working middle relief before hitting the rotation is a strategy that has shown to be effective for a long time in situations where the kid isn't able to just step right into the rotation for whatever reason.

 

Is that the strategy for Marmol, is it just coincidence, or does he project to be a reliever?

 

Some folks in the system think Marmol could be a lights out closer, but he should be just fine as a starter. I think this was just coincidence with Williamson's injury.

[mg420]

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.

 

yea ok....so should we just put him in the rotation and let him get beat up in the majors? Don't pull him out and let's see how he pans out. Is that your suggestion? He has 2 pitches. 1 mediocre fastball and 1 good curve. I think Marshall has a better curve. hill just doesn't have the mental makeup to play in Chicago, not everyone can deal with the fans. Maybe if he goes to a smaller market he will be successful.

 

 

that should read average fastball (87-90) and excellent curve. he also throws a change & cutter from what i understand but doesnt use them much when he starts in the bigs. perhaps the pitch calling by the dugout might have something to do with this.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

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.

 

yea ok....so should we just put him in the rotation and let him get beat up in the majors? Don't pull him out and let's see how he pans out. Is that your suggestion? He has 2 pitches. 1 mediocre fastball and 1 good curve. I think Marshall has a better curve. hill just doesn't have the mental makeup to play in Chicago, not everyone can deal with the fans. Maybe if he goes to a smaller market he will be successful.

 

 

that should read average fastball (87-90) and excellent curve. he also throws a change & cutter from what i understand but doesnt use them much when he starts in the bigs. perhaps the pitch calling by the dugout might have something to do with this.

 

It's partly because he's not comfortable throwing the change and cutter and needs to work on them to make them acceptable big league pitches. As an aside, Hill's curve is better than Marshall's.

[mg420]

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.

 

yea ok....so should we just put him in the rotation and let him get beat up in the majors? Don't pull him out and let's see how he pans out. Is that your suggestion? He has 2 pitches. 1 mediocre fastball and 1 good curve. I think Marshall has a better curve. hill just doesn't have the mental makeup to play in Chicago, not everyone can deal with the fans. Maybe if he goes to a smaller market he will be successful.

 

 

that should read average fastball (87-90) and excellent curve. he also throws a change & cutter from what i understand but doesnt use them much when he starts in the bigs. perhaps the pitch calling by the dugout might have something to do with this.

 

It's partly because he's not comfortable throwing the change and cutter and needs to work on them to make them acceptable big league pitches. As an aside, Hill's curve is better than Marshall's.

 

again, is it that he's not comfortable throwing them or is it that the dungout isnt calling those pitches for him? whatever the case, his dominance in the minors should prove that he can be a quality ML starter imo.

[MustangMike]

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

 

But does the AAA coach know something that he's telling Hill about his release or mechanics that helps his control that moron rothschild dosen't see? Its possible.

[CubinNY]

To me it appears to be a psychological problem. He's not getting hit hard, he's walking the ballpark in the majors.

 

I like Tim's idea somewhat, but they have to tell him that he's there to stay and that they are done sending him up and down. Give him a role and see if he can do it.

 

IMO, he is not worse than Rusch.

[WindyCity]

Some folks in the system think Marmol could be a lights out closer, but he should be just fine as a starter. I think this was just coincidence with Williamson's injury.

 

Similar things were talked about with respect to Z... back in the day Cruz was destined for the rotation and Zambrano a future late inning reliever. We'll see how it all pans out, but I like Marmol's chances to show he can be a starter.

[TXCubsFan]

I think the proper thing to do with Hill is to put him in middle relief at this point. He clearly knows how to get minor league hitters out. He needs to take that next step and working middle relief before hitting the rotation is a strategy that has shown to be effective for a long time in situations where the kid isn't able to just step right into the rotation for whatever reason.

 

If I remember, the Cubs did the same thing a few years back with a kid named Zambrano. :wink:

[CubsWin]

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.

Well said. It is between the ears with Hill. He could stand to do with some more chances in a row. At the same time, he has the ability to get over it himself, to relax and just pitch the way he does in Iowa and earn the right to stay in the rotation to.

 

Eh, if the Cubs keep losing, he likely get his worry free chances to pitch uninterrupted at the big league level. Here's hoping he has to earn it though.

[Balsa]

We should start a pool to determine when Rich Hill will next get called up.

[Jon]

The Rusch discussion has been split here (premium).

[CaliforniaRaisin]

http://cubs.scout.com/2/539570.html

 

Some tidbits:

 

Inside The Ivy: Rich, it just seems like you’re more comfortable and confident with your stuff here in Triple-A as opposed to the big leagues. Is that your read on it as well?

 

Rich Hill: Yeah, I’ve been noticing that – that is, the transition from going up to the big leagues and coming back down and pitching like I know I can pitch as opposed to what I was doing up there. Up there, you don’t let it go. You either don’t pitch to your strengths or you’re too concerned with this or that.

 

Inside The Ivy: A lot of your struggles there can be attributed to you being less aggressive as opposed to down here. Without trying to imply anything, had Larry Rothschild encouraged you to nibble more with your pitches?

 

Rich Hill: No, it doesn’t have anything to do with the pitching coach. It comes down to myself, and being able to believe in myself up there and execute my pitches. That’s the only difference.

 

But my favorite:

 

Inside The Ivy: Ozzie Guillen took a verbal swing at you after the brawl last month and said quote, “Tell that Triple-A [bleep] to shut the [bleep] up. Tell him to start throwing strikes or he’s going to get Dusty fired.” Do you even dignify those comments with a response?

 

Rich Hill: Yeah, whatever ... you know? Words were said from him that weren’t professional, but that’s fine. If that’s the way it’s going to be then so be it. He’s made a name for himself all on his own, no thanks to me.

[JGalt73]

From a BP chat with Christina Kahrl...

 

jgalt73 (Portland, Oregon): Christina, any thoughts on 26 year old Rich Hill? His lines in the Majors (19.1 innings - 23H, 11/15 K/BB, 9.31 ERA) and AAA (44.2 innings - 31H, 61/9 K/BB, 2.42 ERA) this year seem too disparate to explain. Dare we use the AAAA label - "Between the Numbers" be damned?

 

Christina Kahrl: Let's not damn "Baseball Between the Numbers" like your random Mobile torpedo--there's some pretty good dope in that tome.

 

I may come across as robotic on this topic, but I think a culture of failure is something a manager helps create. The Cubs have an awful lot of young pitching talent, and a manager with no real track record for developing pitching talent, young talent, or even figuring out that developing isn't just something they do at the local Fotomat. Time to find the new millenium edition of a Lachemann to be named later. *Then* let's see what a guy like Rich Hill does.

 

Failing that, if you're someone who wants to trade people you can plausibly argue are better than Tony Womack or Phil Nevin for pitching, now is your moment.

[abuck1220]

hill's last five starts...

 

33 ip, 21 h, 4 bb, 5 er, 46 k's. that's a .76 whip and 12.5 k/9.

 

trade him or bring him up, please.

[imb]

hill's last five starts...

 

33 ip, 21 h, 4 bb, 5 er, 46 k's. that's a .76 whip and 12.5 k/9.

 

trade him or bring him up, please.

 

i like >10/1 k/bb ratios

[NCCubFan]

hill's last five starts...

 

33 ip, 21 h, 4 bb, 5 er, 46 k's. that's a .76 whip and 12.5 k/9.

 

trade him or bring him up, please.

I'd like to see the Cubs bring him up and commit to giving him at least five starts so he doesn't feel the pressure to pitch great the first time out. If he struggles again this time, maybe it will be time to start really wondering about his major league potential.

[abuck1220]

as i'm sure everyone can tell, he's my favorite prospect...has been for some time. but at this point, i'd really prefer the cubs trade him. he's ticked off baker, for one, and if there was ever a manager who plays his favorites, it's baker. secondly, before the season started, it was pretty clear the cubs considered gooz and marshall to be ahead of hill. now it appears as though they favor marmol over hill as well. that puts him fourth, at best, in line as far as young starting pitchers go. i don't think there's a shot in hell that the cubs go into '07 w/ zambrano, prior and three first/second year guys, so i really don't see a spot for hill w/ the team. and since he isn't getting any younger, i'd rather they give him a shot elsewhere before he winds up pitching in the PCL until he's 33.

 

i don't know who i'd want them to trade him for, but his value is likely as high as it's been since his ascent through the system last year. trade him.

[Balsa]

WOW, that's a fantastic line.

 

I'm tempted to say send down Marmol...but we have to give him the chance that Hill had. In the meantime, Hill is just gonna have to continue putting up those sick, sick numbers.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

WOW, that's a fantastic line.

 

I'm tempted to say send down Marmol...but we have to give him the chance that Hill had. In the meantime, Hill is just gonna have to continue putting up those sick, sick numbers.

 

Actually, Marmol's future might be as a closer. Marmol also could use some more development time in the minor leagues. I'd send Marmol to AAA and let Hill come up and start for a series of 5 or 6 starts and see what happens.