Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Rich Hill (pitcher)

Discover the career path of Rich Hill (pitcher), from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Richard Joseph "Rich" Hill is a veteran MLB pitcher, nicknamed "Dick Mountain", who has played from 2005-2024. He has played for many teams, including the Cubs, Orioles, Red Sox, Indians, Angels, Yankees, Athletics, Dodgers, Twins, Rays, Mets, Pirates, and Padres. He is known for his longevity and determination, planning to play in 2025.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1999: Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds

In 1999, Hill was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 36th round of the MLB draft but chose to play college baseball instead.

2000: Played for the Chatham A's

In 2000, Rich Hill played collegiate summer baseball for the Chatham A's of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

2001: Drafted by the Anaheim Angels

In 2001, Hill was drafted in the seventh round of the MLB Draft by the Anaheim Angels but decided to return to the Wolverines.

2001: Played for the Chatham A's

In 2001, Rich Hill played collegiate summer baseball for the Chatham A's of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

July 10, 2002: Signed with the Chicago Cubs

On July 10, 2002, Hill was selected in the fourth round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Chicago Cubs and signed, receiving a $302,000 signing bonus.

2002: Junior Season at Michigan

In 2002, during his junior season at Michigan, Hill had a 3–7 record with a 3.55 ERA in 15 games.

2003: Played with the Boise Hawks and Lansing Lugnuts

In 2003, Hill played for the Boise Hawks, where he was 1–6 with a 4.35 ERA, and was promoted to the Lansing Lugnuts, where he was 0–1 with a 2.76 ERA.

2004: Promoted to the Daytona Cubs

In 2004, Hill was promoted to the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League, where he had a 7–6 record with a 4.03 ERA in 28 games.

June 15, 2005: Major League Debut

On June 15, 2005, Hill made his major league debut for the Chicago Cubs against the Florida Marlins, pitching one inning and striking out Carlos Delgado for his first major league strikeout.

July 25, 2005: First MLB Start

On July 25, 2005, Hill made his first MLB start, subbing for Kerry Wood against the San Francisco Giants, lasting five innings. The game was memorable because Hill tripped over third base, however he was not hurt.

2005: Played with West Tenn Diamond Jaxx and Iowa Cubs

In 2005, Hill began the season with the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx and was later promoted to the Iowa Cubs, earning Milb.com distinctions as breakthrough performer of the year.

2006: Season with the Chicago Cubs

In 2006, Hill gained attention in Chicago during the cross-town classic with the Chicago White Sox, lost to the White Sox 7-0, and was sent back to Triple-A Iowa. He was selected to the mid-season Pacific Coast League all-star game, and he was later selected as a postseason all-star and Baseball America Triple-A All-Star.

2006: Return to the Majors

In 2006, Hill returned to the majors on July 27 with a start against the St. Louis Cardinals. On August 1, he defeated the Diamondbacks for his first major league victory. He threw the only two complete games by a Cubs pitcher in 2006.

2007: Started Game 3 of NLDS

In 2007, Hill started game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Diamondbacks, lasting only three innings as the Cubs were swept in the series.

2007: Started in Cubs' Opening Day rotation

In 2007, Hill was the fourth starter in the Cubs' Opening Day rotation. He pitched against the Milwaukee Brewers for his first start of the season and pitched a perfect game through the first five innings.

February 2, 2009: Traded to Baltimore Orioles

On February 2, 2009, Hill was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations.

January 26, 2010: Signed with St. Louis Cardinals

On January 26, 2010, Hill signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals but was beaten out by Jaime García for the fifth starter spot.

June 30, 2010: Signed with Boston Red Sox

On June 30, 2010, Hill signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox and was assigned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.

December 16, 2010: Re-signed with the Red Sox

On December 16, 2010, Hill re-signed with the Red Sox to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

December 30, 2011: Re-signed with Red Sox Again

On December 30, 2011, the Red Sox re-signed Hill to a minor-league contract that included a spring training invitation.

April 7, 2012: Rehab Appearance with Greenville Drive

On April 7, 2012, Hill made his first rehab appearance in the minors with the Greenville Drive.

February 7, 2013: Signed with Cleveland Indians

On February 7, 2013, Hill signed a minor league deal with an invite to big league spring training with the Cleveland Indians.

2013: Career-High Games

In 2013, Hill appeared in a career-high 63 games, working 38+2⁄3 innings for the Cleveland Indians.

February 9, 2014: Returned to Red Sox

On February 9, 2014, Hill signed a minor-league deal to return to the Red Sox, but his late start due to a personal tragedy caused him to fall behind in spring training.

July 1, 2014: Traded to the Los Angeles Angels and appeared in a doubleheader

On July 1, 2014, Rich Hill was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for cash considerations and appeared in both games of a doubleheader that day. In the first game, he allowed a single and walked two batters. In the second game, he walked one batter and threw a wild pitch.

July 17, 2014: Signed with the New York Yankees

On July 17, 2014, Rich Hill signed a minor-league contract with the New York Yankees and joined the Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

February 27, 2015: Signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals

On February 27, 2015, Rich Hill signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals that included an invitation to spring training, where he would compete for a bullpen spot.

July 28, 2015: Signed with the Long Island Ducks

On July 28, 2015, Rich Hill signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball as a starter after not receiving any other offers.

August 14, 2015: Signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox

On August 14, 2015, Rich Hill signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox.

November 17, 2015: Agreed to a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics

On November 17, 2015, Rich Hill agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract with the Oakland Athletics.

August 1, 2016: Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers

On August 1, 2016, Rich Hill and Josh Reddick were traded by the Athletics to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitching prospects Grant Holmes, Jharel Cotton, and Frankie Montas.

December 5, 2016: Re-signed with the Dodgers

On December 5, 2016, Rich Hill re-signed with the Dodgers to a three-year, $48 million contract.

2016: Played in the National League Division and Championship Series

In 2016, Rich Hill started in the second game of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals. He also pitched in game five of the series. In game three of the National League Championship Series, Hill allowed two hits in six innings. The Cubs beat the Dodgers in six games to win the series.

August 23, 2017: Lost no-hitter and game against the Pittsburgh Pirates

On August 23, 2017, Rich Hill pitched a perfect game through eight innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates, until a fielding error by Logan Forsythe in the ninth inning. The no-hitter ended with a walk-off home run by Josh Harrison in the tenth inning, marking the first extra-innings walk-off home run to break up a no-hitter.

2017: Dealing with blisters and awarded Pitcher of the Month

In 2017, Rich Hill's first start was against the San Diego Padres, where he left the game with a blister on his left middle finger, resulting in two stints on the 10-day disabled list. However, in July 2017, Hill earned National League Pitcher of the Month honors with a 4-0 record, 1.45 ERA, and 40 strikeouts.

2018: Started in Game 4 of the 2018 World Series

In 2018, Rich Hill started in Game 4 of the World Series for the Dodgers, pitching six innings against the Boston Red Sox, allowing only one hit. After striking out Eduardo Núñez, he was pulled from the game by manager Dave Roberts, leading to nine runs by the Red Sox and an eventual 9-6 loss for the Dodgers.

2018: Injuries during the 2018 season

Throughout the first two months of the 2018 season, Rich Hill was twice placed on the disabled list due to recurring blister issues in his pitching hand.

2019: Wrote about son's death and donated to Massachusetts General Hospital

In 2019, Rich Hill wrote about his son's death and donated $575,000 to Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, where Brooks received treatment, as part of a campaign that has raised almost $1 million for research into rare genetic diseases.

December 31, 2019: Signed a contract with the Minnesota Twins

On December 31, 2019, Rich Hill signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins.

July 29, 2020: Made his Twins debut

On July 29, 2020, Rich Hill made his debut with the Minnesota Twins.

February 17, 2021: Signed with the Tampa Bay Rays

On February 17, 2021, Rich Hill signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.

July 23, 2021: Traded to the New York Mets

On July 23, 2021, Rich Hill was traded to the New York Mets for pitcher Tommy Hunter and minor league catcher Matt Dyer.

December 1, 2021: Signed a contract to return to the Red Sox

On December 1, 2021, Rich Hill signed a one-year contract to return to the Red Sox.

November 6, 2022: Elected free agency

On November 6, 2022, Rich Hill elected free agency.

January 5, 2023: Signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates

On January 5, 2023, Rich Hill signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

August 1, 2023: Traded to the San Diego Padres

On August 1, 2023, Rich Hill and Ji-man Choi were traded to the San Diego Padres for Alfonso Rivas, Estuar Suero, and Jackson Wolf.

August 18, 2024: Agreed to a minor league contract with the Red Sox

On August 18, 2024, Rich Hill agreed to a minor league contract with the Red Sox.

November 2024: Selected to the United States national baseball team

In November 2024, Rich Hill was selected to the United States national baseball team for the WBSC Premier12 tournament. He was later named to the All-World Team.

May 13, 2025: Agreed to a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals

On May 13, 2025, Rich Hill agreed to a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals, and was assigned to the club's facility in Surprise, Arizona.