Bill Mitchell's Minor League Ramblings

Minor League Ramblings For the week of :
February 18, 2002

Minor League Ramblings is produced by Bill Mitchell for Minor League Watch.

Blueprint For a Ballplayer
February 18, 2002

"I'd probably be working in some type of construction," answered Chicago Cubs prospect Bobby Hill when asked what he'd be doing with his life if not for baseball. It's also the occupation of his biggest role model --- his father.

Bobby Hill Hill is instead closely following a blueprint put in place when he first showed an interest in baseball. "I picked up a bat and ball when I was two years old ... when I was eight or nine, I really decided this was something I wanted to do long-term."

Hill's family instilled in him strong values and the work ethic that has carried his game to a level one short step from the major leagues. He is a leading candidate for the Cubs' second base job heading into the 2002 spring training season.

"My mom and dad worked hard," said Hill. "They were raised to always go get what you want, never to settle for second best. I was raised the same way."

Hill's father, who passed up an opportunity for his own baseball career as a young man, helped build his young son into the fundamentally-sound player he is today. Hill said about his father's influence on his baseball education, "He was always the one to say, 'You need to have a good eye, you need to take a pitch, you need to know your zones.'"

"My dad's my biggest influence in life. Without my parents' support, I wouldn't be where I am today."

"He never forced me into playing the game," Hill added. "But I think having him pushing me when I was playing and teaching me the ropes of the game, he made me the player and the person that I am today. My dad's my biggest influence in life. Without my parents' support, I wouldn't be where I am today."

The native of San Jose, California was selected in the fifth round of the 1996 draft by the Anaheim Angels after completing an All-American career at Leland High School. Hill was ready to sign a professional contract until the opportunity to play college ball at the University of Miami came his way.

Hill had gone to Miami on a family trip when he was 13. At that point in his life he set a goal for himself to someday play baseball for one of the most prestigious college baseball programs in the country, the University of Miami Hurricanes.

"I really wanted to play professional baseball," Hill said about his high school post-graduation plans. And he probably would have stuck to the plan had he not received the offer to play at Miami. "Since it was Miami, it actually made my decision easier."

Hill learned a lot from Hurricanes' coach Jim Morris ... "maturity, growing up, learning more about the game." He added, "Seeing the program we had for workouts, you felt like it was a (minor league) class A ball program." Hill played three years for the Hurricanes, leading his team to the 1999 College World Series championship and earning All-American honors at shortstop, before being chosen by the Chicago White Sox in the 1999 free agent draft.

That draft selection steered Hill into a very difficult time in his life, as he and the White Sox were unable to come to terms on a contract. It was a move that resulted in him being called "J.D. Jr.," after former Florida State All-American J.D. Drew, who refused to sign with Philadelphia after being drafted out of college in 1997. Drew instead played in the independent Northern League, re-entering the draft the next year. Hill and Drew were both represented by the same agent, Scott Boras. Bobby Hill

"I was scared," said Hill about that experience. "I didn't know what to expect, I was thinking that all the people would think I'm a bad guy, that I'm just money hungry and I just want this big payday." He added, "But people really didn't know the real situation, and why I didn't sign with the White Sox. It really didn't have anything to do with the money aspect of it."

Hill learned a lot from the experience. "I was a strong enough kid to say, 'Look, I can handle this.' That experience right there made me a stronger person inside. It made my heart a little stronger so the blows weren't as bad."

Hill signed with the independent Atlantic League Newark Bears for the 2000 season. Despite being younger, at the age of 22, than most of the players in that league, Hill played very well for Newark, batting .326 and stealing 81 bases.

The switch-hitter went back into the 2000 and was selected again by a Chicago team. This time it was by the cross-town Cubs. While he didn't sign a contract until the following November, there never was any question that Hill would come to terms with the Cubs.

"We knew it would take a little time," said Hill about the negotiations between the Cubs and Boras. But Chicago's vice president, Jim Hendry, told Hill not to worry about the pace of the negotiations. "It's not like I was sitting at home doing nothing. I played (with Newark) until the end of September. I was just getting my at bats and getting ready for my next adventure in the big league camp."

Hill was invited to the major league camp in 2001 despite his lack of experience in the Cubs' minor league system. Chicago shifted him to second base, in part to potentially fill a future need with starter Eric Young's contract ending after the 2001 season.

Assigned to class AA West Tennessee for the regular season, Hill played well before being slowed by a groin injury. He missed more than half of the season, appearing in only 57 games, but batted .301 with 20 stolen bases.

The injury lead to another frustrating period in Hill's brief professional career. He was assigned to the prestigious Arizona Fall League at the conclusion of the regular season. Generally, only the top prospects from each major league organization get to play in the AFL. For Hill, it would be a chance to make up for time lost to the injury.

Bobby Hill "It helped, but it hurt me at the beginning," said Hill about his Arizona Fall League experience. "I wasn't 100% ... I tried to come off the groin injury and put it behind me, and I couldn't do it."

Reports began to surface that Hill was dogging it in Arizona. Even Cubs' officials were concerned with the intensity level he was showing. Hill finally explained to the Cubs that his leg was still bothering him, that sometimes it was fine but would later get cold and lock up on him.

Finally, Hill stopped worrying about the leg and just played. "Everything started falling into place," Hill commented about the second half of the AFL season. "Then the last three weeks, especially the last week, I started getting on base." Hill finished the AFL season by batting .345 with an exceptional .442 on base percentage. He was especially strong in the last week of the regular season, collecting nine hits in 13 at bats with three stolen bases.

"I believe I can play, I believe I can be in the big leagues."

Hill comes into the 2002 spring training camp with a legitimate shot at the starting second base job. As expected, the Cubs did not re-sign Eric Young. Hill's main competition comes from 33-year-old veteran Delino DeShields and newcomer Chris Stynes.

"I believe I can play, I believe I can be in the big leagues," answered Hill when asked if he's ready to make the jump to the big leagues. "I've got a lot of confidence in myself. But that decision isn't mine. If there's anything I learned from the Fall League, it's that you can't worry about anything you can't control."

Hill is ready for the success that seems inevitable. Baseball Weekly recently picked Hill as the Cubs' top hitting prospect and labeled him as a potential Rookie of the Year candidate. He claims that success won't change him at all. "I've seen a lot of things happen to people when they come into success," said Hill. "I don't see that happening with myself, plus the people I surround myself with will not let that happen. I've never forgotten where I've come from. Off the field, I always treat everyone like they're equal."

"The Cubs are going in the right direction. I'm just so happy to be part of that."

Hill is excited about being part of a Cubs organization that appears to be on the rise. "I'm looking forward to spring training. I'm more comfortable this year, and I'm going to go out there and have fun." Hill excitedly added another comment about the 2002 Cubs, "It's a fun team, and our minor leagues are stacked with talent. The Cubs are going in the right direction. I'm just so happy to be part of that."

Bobby Hill has carefully followed the blueprint put together by his father over 20 years ago. There have been very few variations from the plan. The construction of this building project is nearly complete, with a major league ballplayer on the way.

--- Bill Mitchell