Lakeland, Fla. – Derek Hill looked at the day’s hitting assignments, did a double-take, shook his head, looked again, and then raised his arms in an exaggerated, you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me kind of shrug.
This was Monday. First official full-squad workout. First live batting practice session. And Hill, the Tigers’ first-round pick in 2014 competing in his first big-league camp, drew right-hander Nolan Blackwood – he with the wicked sidearm delivery where every pitch to a right-handed hitter looks like it’s coming at the side of your head.
“Thanks for that,” Hill said with his usual sheepish grin, knowing if that was the worst thing that happened to him that day, he’d be just fine.