SP Will Hill

On January 15, 2010, the Redbank Bandits thought Will Hill would be their Ace and veteran, staff anchor. They had just signed the free agent to a four year, $66 million deal. Exactly three months later however, the training staff wasn’t sure if he would ever pitch again.

After pitching just 1/3 of an inning, Hill was removed from the 2010 season opener due to a partially torn Ulner Collateral Ligament in his throwing arm. At age 32, Hill was scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery and there was no guarantee he would recover.

Flash forward 12-and-a-half months, and Hill looks to be in peak form. Hill has started 7 games through the first month of the 2011 season and there seems to be no stopping him. Hill has compiled a 5-0 record and 3.25 ERA in 44.1 innings pitched.

While the surgery may have taken a little movement from his pitches, it has not diminished his ability to work the corners of the plate and keep the ball down. Hill has also taken over the role as veteran leader of the staff. He routinely can be found offering advice and guidance to a young staff that has shown glimmers of success, but has been unable to put it together all at the same time.

Owner/manager David Hepler attributes Hill’s locker room presence as a major factor in the Bandits 23-9 start. He recently had this to say, “The difference this year is Will. Absolutely…he is the reason the team is playing like one. His leadership has unified the starting pitchers, the relievers, everybody. Don’t tell his agent I said this, but you can’t put a price on that!”

After 9 months of intense rehab and another 3 months of baseball workouts, Hill was just happy to take the mound again. After 7 starts, the fans in Redbank never want to him to come off.