So while the highly regarded infielder will regale his Syracuse teammates from time to time with a tune on the back of the bus or in the clubhouse -- he might even sing now and then -- the SkyChiefs much prefer that his entertainment come in the form of flawlessly fielding and run production. And Toronto's top position prospect hasn't disappointed. "I've been playing the guitar for eight years," said Hill, who was chosen in the first round (13th overall) by the Jays out of Louisiana State in 2003. "I just like to get together and play the blues and make up rhymes. I grew up playing in the church, all three services every Sunday morning. "I can pick it a little bit, but I never thought of it as a career, though. I've always had a passion for baseball. That's what I wanted to do." If Hill, 23, is half as good a guitar picker as he is a baseball player, then he might have made some nice money in the music business. That point is moot, however, since he is one of the most gifted infielders in all of Minor League Baseball. Hill has started every game for the Blue Jays' International League affiliate and is second on the club with a .309 batting average through 16 games. He was also tops on the team with 21 hits, busily making a push to be in Toronto by season's end. Make no mistake, though. Hill isn't in any kind of a hurry and the Blue Jays certainly aren't inclined to rush him. He's been soaking up all he can on a veteran-laden Syracuse team, listening to teammates like Andy Dominique, Scott Downs and Ken Huckaby offer up stories about what it's like in the Major Leagues. "Everyone wants to be there," Hill said. "I'd like to be there tomorrow if I could, but I still have a lot to learn. Everyone here has the talent to play at the big-league level. Right now, I'm getting the experience and the knowledge from the older guys. "I'm learning from my mistakes and their mistakes. They're always telling stories, and I don't want to intrude. I'm a young guy, and this is a game of adjustments. Whether I'm learning about a pitcher and how he throws or learning about footwork, you have to learn every day. The more you learn, the more successful you will be." Hill even got a taste of Major League Spring Training, though he wasn't in camp on a formal invitation. He was around long enough to pick up a pair of hits in 10 at-bats, however. "I had a great time (during the spring)," Hill said. "But last year was only my second year (as a professional). They told me come on up and work out. When the time is right, the time is right." Whenever Hill is on the field, it usually seems like the right time. He was the Southeast Conference Player of the Year at LSU, leading the league with a .398 average. He followed up on that magical season that summer by combining to hit .324 in 64 games for Auburn of the New York-Penn League and Dunedin of the Florida State League. Hill's second pro season couldn't have gone any better had he planned it. He hit .280 with 11 homers and 80 RBIs for New Hampshire in the Eastern League, earning club Most Valuable Player laurels. His big day to shine, however, came in July when he took home MVP honors at the Futures Game during All-Star Weekend in Houston, an event he attended simply as an injury replacement for Russ Adams. "To go there and play in the same game on the same field as the All-Stars really put things in perspective," Hill said. "Playing in a big-league stadium in front of 30,000 or 40,000 people was the best part." Hill should get used to those kinds of crowds. He'll be playing in front of them consistently before too long -- with or without his guitar.
Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. |
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