The New York Yankees’ offense has been the main focus as they push toward their first World Series appearance in over a decade, but the importance of their bullpen shouldn’t be underestimated. Although big hitters like Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto grab the spotlight, the bullpen’s unsung heroes have been key to the team’s success in the playoffs.
Tim Hill’s Remarkable Journey
One notable performer is 34-year-old journeyman Tim Hill, who has become a dependable option for the Yankees in many high-pressure situations. Hill started the 2024 season with the Chicago White Sox, where he struggled, recording a 5.87 ERA over 23 innings. However, after being traded to the Yankees for the final stretch, he significantly improved, pitching 44 innings with a 2.05 ERA, a 76.4% left-on-base rate, and a 69.9% ground ball rate.
Hill’s turnaround has made him a key piece of the bullpen. While not a strikeout specialist, he thrives on inducing weak contact and ground balls, aligning perfectly with pitching coach Matt Blake’s approach. Impressively, Hill ranks in the 100th percentile for barrel percentage, meaning he rarely gives up hard contact. On the flip side, his whiff percentage and strikeout rate are in the 1st percentile, indicating that while hitters make contact, the results are generally not dangerous.
Hill’s Pitching Style and Playoff Performance
Hill’s pitching repertoire includes a sinker, four-seam fastball, and slider. Instead of focusing on opponents’ batting averages against Hill, Blake prioritizes the quality of contact they produce.
This postseason, Hill has recorded a 1.59 ERA across 5.2 innings, with a strikeout rate of 3.18 batters per nine innings. His walk rate has decreased to 1.59, his left-on-base rate stands at 71.4%, and he’s generating a 63.2% ground ball rate, all of which have been instrumental to his success.
In summary, Hill has become a vital asset in the Yankees’ bullpen, and his ability to neutralize Cleveland’s offense during the ALCS helped lead the team to the World Series.
Hill’s Impact in the ALCS
In Saturday’s decisive victory over the Cleveland Guardians, Hill had another impressive outing, throwing 1.1 innings on 19 pitches and allowing only one hit and one walk while keeping the scoreboard clean. His performance set the stage for Jake Cousins, who dominated for 1.1 innings, striking out four batters. The bullpen, including Hill, enabled Luke Weaver to finish the game with two innings after the Yankees had given him a well-deserved rest day on Friday.
Hill participated in every ALCS game and consistently rose to the occasion. His pitching approach was effective against the Guardians, though the Yankees might need to tweak their bullpen strategy based on whether they face the New York Mets or the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. Regardless of the matchup, Hill’s contributions have been crucial to the Yankees’ success.
Looking Ahead to the World Series
As the Yankees gear up for the World Series, they will count on Hill and the bullpen to maintain their momentum. Hill’s ability to generate ground balls has played a vital role in the team’s success during the playoffs. Regardless of whether they face the Mets or Dodgers, adjusting their strategy to match their opponent’s strengths will be essential. However, with their bullpen performing exceptionally well, the Yankees are well-positioned to pursue a championship run.
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