| Aaron Hill | |
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Hill with the Blue Jays. |
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| Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 2 | |
| Second baseman | |
| Born: March 21, 1982 Visalia, California |
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| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| May 20, 2005 for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| Career statistics (through 2011) |
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| Batting average | .267 |
| Hits | 920 |
| Home runs | 98 |
| Runs batted in | 425 |
| Stolen bases | 44 |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Aaron Walter Hill (born March 21, 1982 in Visalia, California) is an American professional baseball second baseman in Major League Baseball. Hill was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round (13th overall) of the 2003 MLB First Year Draft.
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At age 15, Hill and friends were participating in a soccer tournament in Park City, Utah. While on their way to a round of golf, a college student narrowly missed Hill's car and slammed into his mother's car following behind him. His mother was killed as a result.[1]
Hill was originally drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the 7th round of the June 2000 Draft. Hill turned down the offer, opting to attend Louisiana State University and play for the varsity Tigers baseball team. While at LSU, Hill posted a career .335 batting average with 23 home runs and 150 RBIs.
Hill was Toronto's first draft pick (13th overall) in the 2003 MLB Draft, and he made his major league debut on May 20, 2005, after being called up from the minor leagues a day earlier as an injury replacement for Corey Koskie. Although he was brought up as a shortstop, Hill appeared as a third baseman, designated hitter and second baseman during the course of the season. He finished the 2005 season with a .274 batting average, .348 OBP, and 25 doubles in 361 at-bats. After the trade of Orlando Hudson to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Hill became the starting second baseman for the Blue Jays in 2006, but was moved back to shortstop mid-season after the demotion of Russ Adams. After experiencing defensive struggles at shortstop, he was then moved back to second base, with John McDonald taking over at shortstop.
On May 29, 2007, in a game at home against the New York Yankees with Andy Pettitte pitching, Hill became only the second player in Blue Jays history to accomplish a "straight steal" of home.[2]
Hill won a Fielding Bible Award at second base for his fielding excellence in 2007.[3]
On April 4, 2008, Hill agreed to a four-year, $12 million deal that includes a club option that could run through the 2014 season. The contract could be worth as much as $38 million if Toronto keeps Hill in the fold for all seven years of the deal, which took effect immediately.
On May 29, Hill suffered a Grade II concussion in a collision with teammate David Eckstein during a game against the Oakland Athletics. He missed the remainder of the season.
Hill returned from his concussion in spring training. On July 5, 2009 Hill was rewarded for his play by being selected by managers and players to play in the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis. Hill finished the 2009 season with 36 home runs, 108 runs batted in, a batting average of .286, and 37 doubles. After the season, Hill received the 2009 AL Comeback Player of the Year. He also was honored with his second Fielding Bible Award.[4]
Prior to the first game of the 2011 season, the Blue Jays announced that they had declined the three option years on Hill's contract.[5] Hill was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 24, retroactive to April 20, with a strained hamstring.[6]
On August 23, 2011, Hill and John McDonald were traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for second baseman Kelly Johnson.[7] Hill hit his first home run as a Diamondback on August 28 against the San Diego Padres, a two-run shot to right field off starter Cory Luebke.
After the 2011 season, the Diamondbacks resigned Hill to a 2-year, $11 million dollar contract extension.[8]
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