2019 Dodgers review: Rich Hill

The 2019 season was a very familiar one for Rich Hill and the Dodgers. He pitched really well, but then an injury sidelined him for some time.

What went right

Hill got off to a great start this past season. He missed the first month of the year, but looked really good throughout the months of May and June. In his first nine starts, he went 4-1 while posting an ERA of 2.60. He had 59 strikeouts in 52 innings, and had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly five-to-one.

In six of those starts, he was able to go at least six innings, going seven in two of them.

What went wrong

Unfortunately, his season pretty much came to an end on June 19. After throwing one inning, Hill was removed from the game after a flexor tendon strain. The injury sidelined him three months, as he made his next start on September 12.

In his first start since the injury, Hill lasted only ²⁄₃ an inning. He allowed a run and walked two. Hill would only make two starts the rest of the season, throwing a combined five innings in both starts. Though, he looked good, striking out nine in those five scoreless innings.

He made one start in the postseason, failing to make it through three innings. In game four of the NLDS, Hill walked four and allowed a run to the Nationals before being removed from the game.

2019 particulars

Age: 39

Stats: 4-1, 2.45 ERA, 58 ²⁄₃ IP, 72 SO, 1.125 WHIP, 4.10 FIP, 169 ERA+

Salary: $18,000,000

Game of the year

On May 17, Hill was nearly untouchable in Cincinnati. He threw only six innings, but held the Reds scoreless while striking out 10 and not issuing a single walk.

Roster status

Hill is currently a free-agent as he enters his age 40 season. He’s expressed interest in returning to the Dodgers, but it’s unclear if the team has any interest in bringing him back next season.

Also, if you haven’t already, give this a watch.