Player Profile: Bobby Hill 2B Padres

Fantasy Impact:

In my opinion Bobby Hill can still be a star for both MLB and fantasy leagues. He won't hit for an amazing average although his average shouldn't hurt you. He has a very good idea about how to get on base. If the Padres put Hill in the leadoff or second spot in the order he'll start stealing bases again and that is the strength of Bobby Hill. Playing a whole season at leadoff you might get fifty steals from Hill. Spend a dollar on Hill or use your last pick of the draft on him. Not many will be advocating such a move I'm sure but its finally time for Hill to get his shot don't miss out.

Background:
Bobby Hill has had a raw deal the last few years. After being a star in high school and being drafted in the fifth round by the then California Angels. He chose not to sign and went to the University of Miami where he became a huge college star. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the second round but didn’t sign (Scott Boras…’nuff said). He played with the Independent Newark Bears where he was incredible. He hit .326 and stole 81 bases. The Cubs drafted him in the second round in 2000 and it was pretty unanimous that Hill wouldn’t need long in the minors. Then he ran into Don Baylor who preferred Delino Deshields and questioned Hill’s attitude. Hill never got another real shot. He was traded to the Pirates and despite spending most of four years in the majors has accumulated only 523 career at-bats. All the while with the Pirates Hill, as an occasional starter and pinch hitter, had a .343obp and sat on the bench behind not one but two infielders (Jose Castillo and Jack Wilson) who are just barely capable of .300obp. Now Hill is finally free of the Pirates thanks to the Padres who will finally give Hill a chance to compete for a job. The bad news is he must compete with top prospect Josh Barfield. Hill has been mediocre with the glove thus far but I expect that with regular playing time that would improve.

Statistics:

Year	Team	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2002	CHC	59	190	26	48	7	2	4	20	17	42	6	1	.253	.327	.374	.701
2003	CHC	5	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	0	.250	.400	.250	.650
2003	PIT	1	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	.333	.500	.333	.833
2004	PIT	126	233	28	62	7	2	2	27	20	39	0	3	.266	.353	.339	.692
2005	PIT	58	93	12	25	6	0	0	11	9	17	0	0	.269	.343	.333	.676
Career		249	523	67	137	20	4	6	58	48	100	6	4	.262	.343	.350	.693