Rich Hill is a left-handed pitcher who has had a long and varied career in Major League Baseball. He was born in Boston in 1980 and attended the University of Michigan, where he played college baseball. Hill was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the fourth round of the 2002 MLB draft and made his major league debut with the team in 2005.
Hill struggled with injuries and inconsistency early in his career, but he showed flashes of brilliance. In 2007, he had a breakout season, going 11-8 with a 3.92 ERA and 183 strikeouts in 195 innings pitched. However, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 and struggled with injuries and poor performance.
Hill bounced around several teams over the next few years, including the Red Sox, Indians, Angels, Yankees, and Nationals. He struggled to find a consistent role and was often used as a reliever or spot starter. However, he continued to show flashes of brilliance, including a 10-strikeout performance in a relief appearance for the Red Sox in the 2013 playoffs.
In 2015, Hill signed a minor league contract with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. He dominated in his brief stint with the team, striking out 21 batters in just 14 innings pitched. This performance earned him a contract with the Boston Red Sox, and he finished the season with a 1.55 ERA in four starts.
Hill's career took off in 2016, when he signed with the Oakland Athletics. He had a career-best season, going 12-5 with a 2.12 ERA and 129 strikeouts in just 110.1 innings pitched. He also threw a complete game shutout and was named the American League Pitcher of the Month in September.
Hill continued to pitch well over the next few seasons, but injuries continued to be a concern. He was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 and became a key member of their rotation. He helped lead the team to the World Series in 2017 and 2018, and he pitched well in both postseasons.
In 2019, Hill signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins. He had a solid season, going 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 13 starts. However, he struggled with injuries again in 2020 and was limited to just eight starts.
Hill signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2021 season. He continued to pitch well, going 6-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 19 starts. He also became the oldest pitcher in MLB history to throw a complete game shutout, doing so at the age of 41.
Overall, Rich Hill has had a long and varied career in Major League Baseball. He has struggled with injuries and inconsistency at times, but he has also shown flashes of brilliance and has been a key member of several successful teams. Despite his age, he continues to pitch at a high level and is a valuable asset to any team he plays for.
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