Detroit Tigers center fielder Derek Hill walked off the field alongside athletic trainer Doug Teter and manager AJ Hinch to an ovation from the Comerica Park crowd. He was removed in the first inning with a right shoulder sprain.
Moments earlier, Seattle Mariners’ Kyle Seager drilled Casey Mize’s slider 429 feet to center field. The ball, traveling 105.4 mph, would have been a home run in 29 other MLB ballparks. At Comerica Park, there was enough room for Hill to make the catch.
The 25-year-old — recalled from Triple-A Toledo on June 3 to give the organization a better look at his potential now and in the future — timed his jump and, midway through the air, slammed into the wall. His right shoulder took the impact.
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Rookie Akil Baddoo replaced Hill in center field.
Through seven games this season, Hill has a .250 batting average, one RBI two walks and three strikeouts in 12 at-bats. He has stolen three bases, as well, with key plays made in center field. He is the Tigers’ best defensive outfielder in the entire organization.
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Hill has played 22 games in his MLB career, including 15 in 2020. He was the No. 23 overall pick in the 2014 draft from Elk Grove High School in California.
Evan Petzold is a sports reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.