Aaron Hill
Toronto Blue Jays — No. 2
Second Baseman
Born: March 21, 1982 (1982-03-21) (age 27) Visalia, California
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 20, 2005 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics
Batting average	.285
Home runs	64
Runs batted in	296
Stolen bases	21
Hits	684
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (2005–present)
Career highlights and awards
1× All-Star selection (2009) 2009 MLB Comeback Player of The Year Award Silver Slugger Award winner (2009)

Aaron Walter Hill (born March 21, 1982, in Visalia, California) is an All-Star Major League Baseball player and second-baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays. Hill was drafted by Toronto in the first round (13th overall) of the 2003 MLB First Year Draft as a shortstop, but moved to second base after the departure of Blue Jays' former second baseman Orlando Hudson.

[edit] Collegiate career

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 Fighting Tigers baseball team. While at LSU, Hill posted a career .335 batting average with 23 home runs and 150 RBIs.

[edit] Major League career

Hill was Toronto's first draft pick (13th overall) in the 2003 MLB First Year 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.

In November 2007, Hill married his long-time girlfriend.

[edit] 2008 season

On April 4, 2008, the second baseman 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 takes effect immediately.

On May 29, Hill suffered a Grade II concussion in a collision with teammate David Eckstein in Oakland. On August 17, the Blue Jays announced that Hill would miss the remainder of the season.

[edit] 2009 Season

Hill returned from a concussion injury in spring training, that he sustained back in the 2008 season after colliding with David Eckstein. He plays everyday second base, only taking one game off all season. 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. Aaron Hill finished the 2009 season with 36 HR, 108 RBI, a batting avg. of .286, and 37 doubles. After the season, Hill received the 2009 AL Comeback Player of the Year for 2009.

[edit] Early life

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]

[edit] Trivia

• On May 29, 2007, in a game at home against the New York Yankees, Hill became only the second player in Blue Jays history to straight steal home. He accomplished the feat off Andy Pettitte.^[2]

[edit] Awards

• 2001 – 2001 Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American
• 2002 – 2002 United States National Team Member
• 2003 – Southeastern Conference Player of the Year
• 2003 – Baseball America First-Team All-American
• 2003 – Collegiate Baseball Second-Team All-American
• 2003 – USA Today Second-Team All-American
• 2003 – ABCA Second-Team All-American
• 2003 – ABCA First-Team All-South Region
• 2003 – NCAA Baton Rouge Regional All-Tournament Team
• 2003 – SEC All-Tournament Team
• 2003 – Short Season All-Star Team (Baseball America)
• 2003 – Prospect of the year (New York - Penn League – A)
• 2003 – New York – Penn League All-Star Team (A) (Shortstop)
• 2004 – Eastern League (U.S. baseball) All-Star Team (AA) (Shortstop)
• 2004 – MVP of All-Star Futures Game
• 2009 - representative of American League at 2009 MLB All-Star Game
• 2009 - American League 2009 Comeback Player of the Year
• 2009 - American League second baseman Silver Slugger award

[edit] References

1. ^ Visalia Women Apparently Didn't Have Chance in Crash.
2. ^ TheStar.com | Sports | Mad dash home a thrill for Hill

[edit] External links

• Aaron Hill's stats on Baseball Reference
• Aaron Hill's MLB.com page
• Aaron Hill's ESPN.com page
• Aaron Hill's The Star page