Aaron Hill, 3B/DH – Toronto Blue Jays

Boasting an impressive resume making it appear to be only a matter of time before “The Call” came, Aaron Hill became the latest Baseball Factory alumnus to advance to the major leagues on May 19 when the Toronto Blue Jays promoted him from Class AAA Syracuse to replace the injured Corey Koskie.

Through June 6, Hill has put up impressive offensive numbers while splitting time at third base and designated hitter, batting .344 with a .394 OBP and .508 slugging percentage in his first 66 plate appearances. He also has driven in 15 runs and scored 8, playing in each of Toronto’s 17 games since his debut.

Hill participated in a Baseball Factory’s BATS event in Visalia, CA in 1999, before going on to star at NCAA Division I powerhouse Louisiana State University. While with LSU he won the Southeastern Conference’s 2003 Player of the Year award before the Blue Jays made him the 13th overall pick in that year’s draft. He progressed through the minor leagues quickly, advancing to Toronto in just his second full professional season. Along the way, he won the MVP in the 2004 All-Star Futures Game.

Prior to the 2005 season, Baseball America listed Hill as Toronto’s second-ranked prospect, saying “what sets him apart is his ability to optimize” his tools, which include a compact swing Hill uses to hit the ball to all parts of the field, potential for above-average power, a strong arm, good speed and sound baserunning instincts.

In joining the Blue Jays, Hill becomes teammates with Roy Halladay, who appeared at the Team One National Showcase in 1994. Baseball Factory is proud partners with Team One Baseball.

Baseball Factory congratulates Aaron Hill on his major league debut and wishes him continued success.