Hill Adds Veteran Leadership To Pirates Pitching Staff

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free-agent pitcher Rich Hill this past January because he can still deliver the goods. At 43, now entering his 19th MLB season, Hill holds the distinction as the game’s oldest active player.

When the Pirates signed the southpaw this past winter to a one-year, $8 million deal, it was Hill’s baseball wisdom that they were acquiring. His seasoned presence in manager Derek Shelton’s projected starting rotation can’t be undervalued.

Suiting up for 12 different clubs, including three stints with the Boston Red Sox, there isn’t much Hill isn’t familiar with the National League. Players move between the American and National Leagues, coaches and managers, too. The umpires, Hill, originally from the Boston suburb of Milton, Massachusetts, knows their names, faces, and ways they call a game.

Mash all of Hill’s experience with the ability to still eat up innings and get batters out, and the Pirates and their fans have reason for high expectations this coming season. Last season, recording an 8-7 record for his 26 starts, Hill averaged surrendering one hit per inning.

Shelton and Pirates’ pitching coach Oscar Marin will be counting on Hill to anchor a starting rotation that is projected to include Mitch Keller, Roansy Contreras, and newly acquired Vince Velasquez, who last season took to the bump as a Chicago White Sox starter 27 times.

Meeting his new pitching pals on day one of spring training at Pirate City, Hill was amongst the first players to arrive in the clubhouse. He is all too familiar with the drill as the new guy in the room.

"With change comes creativity. Adapting to the style of the club is something I’ve become comfortable with,“ Hill explains as he slips on his Pirates workout gear for the first time. "Obviously you must be flexible for the circumstances that come your way, with each new team and teammate.“

As someone who first put on a big-league uniform back in 2005 when future hall of famer Greg Maddux was a Chicago Cubs’ teammate of his, Hill tells of being ready to help his fellow Pirates’ pitchers.

"I’m understanding what’s going on and keeping up to date on the club. When it comes to the new rule (first-ever pitch clock), I’ve always been quick with my delivery,“ says Hill, who has appeared in 350 MLB games.

This coming December, the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Contemporary Baseball Era Committee will consider candidates for managers, executives, and umpires for election. One of those who will be up for votes is one of Hill’s former bench bosses Lou Piniella. Two of Hill’s seasons as a Cub were skippered by Piniella.

"Obviously, he (Piniella) is a hall-of-fame manager. No question about it,“ said Hill. "He should be in already.“

As the Pirates on the MLB 40-man roster shifted their training site from Pirate City to LECOM Park on March 25, a second move in less than two weeks for Hill was accepted as routine. Adapting is what he does, as well as hurling a curve ball.

Up next, packing his bags in Bradenton and shipping off to Pittsburgh. For Hill, it’s just another occupational necessity he’s achieved expertise at.