I'm not sure if I've profiled Derek Hill already. I don't think so, but if so, consider this an update. Hill is a true 5-tool HS OF from the Sacramento area. He's 6'2", 190 lbs. Runs a 6.4 60 and has been clocked at 92 MPH on throws from the OF. He is the son of a Dodger area scout. An article in the Sacramento Bee dated 5/7/2014 places Giants GM Brian Sabean as scouting one of Derek's HS games.
Here are his HS batting stats, for what they are worth: .517/.598/.793, 10 2B, 7 3B, 0 HR, 18 SB, 3 CS, 16 BB, 15 K's in 107 PA.
On Video, he has a very simple swing with very little, if any load. He has a 4-6 inch slide step with his front foot, no leg kick. His swing plane is flat to slightly uppercut.
Hill reportedly has serious pre-draft helium and is now projected to go in the middle rounds.
Physically, he reminds me of an Adam Jones or Austin Jackson.
Hey, if the Giants are at all interested in taking a risk on a 5-tooler, there's more risky ones out there.
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Interesting! With no HR power showing up yet, he's certainly not a 1st rounder. However, third round or a 2nd round supplemental, wouldn't be surprised to see a kid like this go high.
ReplyDeleteLot of work to do with these kinds of raw HS talents, but the rewards are obvious. I don't remember the last non-pitching high school prospect the Giants had success with (has there ever been one? I don't know that kids have been getting drafted from HS for very long..), but if he drops far enough, I'm sure Sabean will have a go considering the upside.
I appreciate the scouting reference to a minimal load during his swing. Kids with smooth, simple swings with minimal load motion - typically I see that as having a better ability to translate directly to the bigs.
I disagree on the HR power thing. If you limited yourself to drafting HS kids only if they have already shown HR power, you'd end up with a bunch of AAA DH's who hit 30 HR's in Albuquerque but never sniff the major leagues. That's where scouting comes in and being able to envision what this kid will be when he's 22 or 25 years old. If the Giants want Derek Hill, they will have to pull the trigger at #15 because he will be long gone by #53. I'm not saying Derek Hill is the only guy out there they should consider at #15. If he's a #32 talent and they can grab a #10 talent at #15, then by all means, they go with the #10 guy. I'll trust Sabes and John Barr with that decision, but I guarantee you, Sabes was not out there at that ballfield in Sacramento to scout a potential second rounder.
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