What’s happened to Rich Hill? It looks like after his stint with the AAA Iowa Cubs, he’ll be demoted once again.
Three starts ago with the I-Cubs, he allowed only one hit in five innings. Cynics will joke that opponents could only get one hit because he couldn’t get the ball over the plate. In that game, he allowed seven walks.
The downward trend continued on June 11 when he gave up three runs in four innings while walking six. Unlike the previous game, Hill got the loss.
Finally, last Friday, Hill didn’t last even one inning. In 2/3 of a frame walked four and allowed three hits and six runs in front of a home crowd. Apparently, that was the last straw for Cubs management as he’s been sent down to AA.
At this point, I don’t expect him back for a while, if at all.
Hill came up through the Cubs system highly touted and while he’s had his ups and downs in the majors, he put together a solid season in 2007. There’s no doubt the hard throwing lefty has talent but confidence has been an issue. At this point, is it an over-statement to say he has a case of the yips?
Steve Blass, anyone?