The Pittsburgh Pirates today signed left-handed pitcher Rich Hill to a one-year contract for the 2023 season. Hill went 8-7 with a 4.27 ERA (124.1ip/59er) and 108 strikeouts in 26 starts last year with Boston, ranking second on the team in both starts and strikeouts and third in innings pitched.
The Red Sox went 14-12 in Hill’s 26 starting assignments, including 6-0 when he tossed at least 6.0 innings. The 18-year veteran worked at least 5.0 innings in 13 starts last year, going 8-2 with a 2.11 ERA (72.2ip/17er) on those occasions (he is 78-36 with a 2.70 ERA in 162 career starts when he works at least 5.0 innings).
He also closed out the 2022 campaign by recording a 2.36 ERA (26.2ip/7er) and 30 strikeouts in his final five starts. Last year Hill held opposing hitters to a .231 batting average against (45-for-195) and .379 slugging percentage while throwing his curveball, using the pitch 35.9 percent of the time according to Baseball Savant.
The 42-year-old Hill has a career record of 82-59 with a 3.85 ERA (1259.0ip/538er) and 1294 strikeouts in 350 appearances (221 starts) in the big leagues with the Chicago Cubs (2005-08), Baltimore (2009), Boston (2010-12, 2015 and 2022), Cleveland (2013), the Los Angeles Angels (2014), New York Yankees (2014), Oakland (2016), Los Angeles Dodgers (2016-19), Minnesota (2020), Tampa Bay (2021) and New York Mets (2021). Since transitioning to being a full-time starter in 2015, he has also produced the ninth-lowest ERA in all of MLB among pitchers with at least 750.0 innings (see chart on right).
“Rich has been a consistent performer in tough environments and has built a terrific reputation as a pro,” said Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington. “We wanted to add a left-handed starter to our group this offseason, and we believe he will be a great addition to our rotation.”
Hill will enter the 2023 season ranked ninth among all active left-handed pitchers in strikeouts, 10th in wins and 12th in innings pitched (1259.0). To make room for Hill on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Zach Thompson has been designated for assignment.
