A Closer Look: Who is new Mariners RHP prospect Adam Hill?
Dec 5, 2019, 1:32 PM
The Mariners made their biggest move of the offseason on Thursday morning, sending offensively-gifted catcher Omar Narváez to the Milwaukee Brewers for right-handed pitching prospect Adam Hill and a competitive balance Round B pick for the 2020 MLB Draft.
Mariners trade Omar Narváez to Brewers for Adam Hill and draft pick
We’re taking a closer look at Hill, so watch the video above from Prospects Live of Hill pitching against Mariners minor leagues last spring and read below for more about Seattle’s newest prospect.
Mariners RHP Adam Hill
• Was a Midwest League midseason All-Star in 2019 with the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Finished the year 7-9 with a 3.92 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 109 strikeouts and 55 walks in 23 starts and three relief appearances (121 2/3 innings).
• Assigned to Mariners’ High-A affiliate Modesto Nuts following Thursday’s trade.
• Was ranked the Brewers’ No. 26 prospect on Baseball America and Milwaukee’s No. 40 prospect in Prospect1500.com’s 2019 midseason rankings.
• Features a fastball that can get up to 95 mph with a slider and a changeup.
• Listed at 6 foot 6 and 225 pounds.
• Will turn 23 next March.
• According to MILB.com’s story about Thursday’s trade, Hill uses his height as an asset: “Allows for good extension and can help his otherwise average low-90s fastball play up. His curveball and slider earn above-average grades, while his solid changeup gives him another option to keep hitters guessing.” The story goes on to note that his delivery is a question mark and that his 10.7 percent walk rate was higher than all but two other qualifying pitchers in the Midwest League last season.
• MILB.com’s story says that while “size and pitch mix give him a chance to start in the Mariners system,” Hill may be destined for a move to the bullpen unless he can improve his control.
• Drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the New York Mets with the 110th overall pick.
• Pitched for three years at the University of South Carolina and had a nice showing in the Cape Cod League in 2017, posting a 2.77 ERA in three starts (13 innings) with seven strikeouts and four walks for the Chatham Anglers.
• Had a 2.35 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 26 strikeouts to just seven walks in nine relief appearances in his first pro season with short season Single-A Brooklyn in 2018.
• Sent to the Brewers from the Mets along with two other prospects last January in a trade for outfielder Keon Broxton, who ended up playing for the Mariners late last season after stints with New York and Baltimore.
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