Darius Hill

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #23 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Hill started all four years at West Virginia and hit over .300 every season, but his unconventional swing, lack of power and perceived inability to play center field caused him to fall to the 20th round of the 2019 draft, where the Cubs took him and gave him a $5,000 signing bonus. Hill quickly proved those assessments wrong and conquered both Double-A and Triple-A in 2022, where he finished tied for the minor league lead with 166 hits.
  
  Scouting Report: Hill is an undersized lefthanded hitter who knows his game and sticks to it. He has a short, quick swing from the left side and exceptional timing and barrel accuracy. He squares up pitches in all parts of the zone and drives them for singles and doubles. Hill's swing has minimal loft and leverage and he doesn't hit for much power, but he makes a ton of contact and should be an above-average hitter. He is also an excellent bunter. Hill is an average runner and gets good jumps and reads in center field, where he is an average defender. His well below-average arm makes him a better fit in left field than right when he plays the corners.
  
  The Future: Hill's contact skills and ability to play center field has him in the Cubs outfield plans for 2023. His debut should come during the season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 30. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 30.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Hill started all four years at West Virginia and hit over .300 every season, but his unconventional swing, lack of power and perceived inability to play center field caused him to fall to the 20th round of the 2019 draft, where the Cubs took him and gave him a $5,000 signing bonus. Hill quickly proved those assessments wrong and conquered both Double-A and Triple-A in 2022, where he finished tied for the minor league lead with 166 hits.
  
  Scouting Report: Hill is an undersized lefthanded hitter who knows his game and sticks to it. He has a short, quick swing from the left side and exceptional timing and barrel accuracy. He squares up pitches in all parts of the zone and drives them for singles and doubles. Hill's swing has minimal loft and leverage and he doesn't hit for much power, but he makes a ton of contact and should be an above-average hitter. He is also an excellent bunter. Hill is an average runner and gets good jumps and reads in center field, where he is an average defender. His well below-average arm makes him a better fit in left field than right when he plays the corners.
  
  The Future: Hill's contact skills and ability to play center field has him in the Cubs outfield plans for 2023. His debut should come during the season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 30. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 30.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Hill started all four years at West Virginia and hit over .300 every season, but his unconventional swing, lack of power and perceived inability to play center field caused him to fall to the 20th round of the 2019 draft, where the Cubs took him and gave him a $5,000 signing bonus. Hill quickly proved those assessments wrong and conquered both Double-A and Triple-A in 2022, where he finished tied for the minor league lead with 166 hits.
  
  Scouting Report: Hill is an undersized lefthanded hitter who knows his game and sticks to it. He has a short, quick swing from the left side and exceptional timing and barrel accuracy. He squares up pitches in all parts of the zone and drives them for singles and doubles. Hill's swing has minimal loft and leverage and he doesn't hit for much power, but he makes a ton of contact and should be an above-average hitter. He is also an excellent bunter. Hill is an average runner and gets good jumps and reads in center field, where he is an average defender. His well below-average arm makes him a better fit in left field than right when he plays the corners.
  
  The Future: Hill's contact skills and ability to play center field has him in the Cubs outfield plans for 2023. His debut should come during the season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 30. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 30.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/Medium
  
  Midseason Update: Hill continues to hit at every level with a short, quick stroke from the left side and exceptional timing in the batter&#39s box that allows him to connect on any pitch. His ability to hit and play average defense in center field has him in the Cubs&#39 near-term plans.