Adam
Hill

4/18/18 - 6’5/225, Junior- Tall, competitive Friday night starter for the Gamecocks. Wanted to work quick, yet was continuously slowed by the Razorback hitters. Sound delivery early in the game, became a little more rotational in the later innings. Long, yet smooth and consistent, arm swing to three-quarters slot. Average arm speed. His average release height is 5’7 and extension is 6’3 on his fastball, 6’7 on changeup and 6’2 on his slider. Works fairly easy. Lands closed, which combined with his slot, gave good cross-fire angle to his fastball. Touched 95 mph with his fastball in the first inning, sat 91-94 for the game. Above average life with both movement and angle. Above average control, went inside well to both sides of the plate. Spin rate typically sits in the mid-2400s, topping out around 2550. Firm changeup at 87-89 mph can sometimes be mistaken for a fastball. Threw it hard and lived off the action with just enough velocity differential from his fastball to keep hitters off-balance. Spin rate is typically around 2200. Third pitch is a slanting slider thrown at 80-85 mph with an average spin rate of 2350. There was not a lot of chase out of the zone, yet it was an effective pitch. Fringe athlete who is a bit long to the plate from the stretch (1.35-1.43) but holds runners well by mixing his looks and holds. Generated swing/miss with all of his pitches, while getting outs with mostly his fastball and slider. Struck out five (three looking) on both fastballs and sliders. Went five innings while throwing 104 pitches. For the season Hill has thrown 56% fastballs, 23% changeups and 21% sliders. Profiles as a mid-rotation sinker/slider starting pitcher. Missed one start in March with shoulder tendonitis, but has rebounded since. With continued good health, he should be selected in the second-to-third round.

2/28/18 - Average frame with some length in his arms and legs.  Stands 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, seeming taller on appearance.  Controlled delivery, with stable posture through balance and foot strike.  Controls the tempo, working with normal effort.  Long arm action, clean, works to a release.  Works level, on-line, landing slightly across his line with a solid foot strike.  Repeats the delivery and command may continue to tick up throughout the spring.  Fastball ranged 90-94 on the day, pitching 91-93 throughout the first four innings and settling 90-92 in the sixth and seventh.  Located to the glove side, working away from most hitters.  Flashed a fastball in occasionally but was able to have success pounding away.  Late arm side run to both sides of the plate, heavier to the arm side.  Several freeze fastballs located away.  Has the ability to elevate when needed.  Slider works from the same window as the fastball, mimicking the fastball into the hitting zone at 80-83.  Sweeping action received swing and miss in the zone.  Not a lot of chase out of the zone.  Slider plane and release created deception for fastball.  Success off stuff in the zone.  Did not have to show command of the glove or the ability to move the baseball throughout an at-bat. Pitched seven shutout innings, allowing no hits, while striking out 14. Threw 100 pitches, 64 for strikes.