Nutshell: Seizing every opportunity
Baseball once appeared to be a fleeting activity during Turner Hill’s high school days.
Baseball once appeared to be a fleeting activity during Turner Hill’s high school days.
The current outfielder for the Richmond Flying Squirrels did not have much interest in pursuing the sport in college. Unreturned calls and few conversations presented a bleak baseball future.
“I think part of it was just being from southeast Ohio, there’s not a lot of exposure there,” Hill said. “There’s not a lot of exposure there. I didn’t do much of the big travel ball, and I was very undersized. So, I don’t know if a lot of the college coaches thought that my game would be able to translate. It’s a lot different than most guys that are in pro ball.”
THE OHIO MAN!
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) July 20, 2024
Turner Hill comes through with a clutch two-run single in the seventh 😤 pic.twitter.com/qJbOFNkgzh
Hill and his father, Steve, traveled to a handful of high school showcases during his senior year. There was only one college that showed interest in Hill during the showcases, a walk-on opportunity at Division II Malone University.
The COVID-19 pandemic cut Hill’s third season at Malone University short but also presented two more years of college eligibility. He decided it was time to return home and compete for his hometown college.
“I grew up a Marrietta College fan. Obviously, it’s in my hometown, so that helped,” Hill said. "I had friends from high school that were on the team at Marrietta College. My uncle was involved, who played there, and I grew up watching. I knew that they had a really good team, nice facilities and if I were to go there, we would have a chance to compete to win a national championship.”
His uncle, Evan Brockmeier, has been a volunteer assistant coach with the program since 2021. His brother, Kail, also followed him to Marrietta College as a utility player.
Being back home and having the family ties on the team comforted Hill. His sister later followed her brothers to Marrietta and joined the basketball team at the school.
“My sister was a senior that year (in 2021) and after she graduated, the basketball coaches liked her, so she decided to go there as well,” Hill said. “Getting to go to all my sister’s home basketball games and getting to play with my brother, it was really cool. Especially when he was on the mound, and I’d be in the outfield.”
Hill Yeah! 😤 pic.twitter.com/nAWFyb26k1
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) July 7, 2024
Hill was a hitting machine at Marrietta College, producing 88 hits over 44 games in 2021 followed by a 90-hit season over 48 games in 2022. He finished his two-year career with a .441 batting average and a 1.087 career OPS.
After his senior season in 2022, there were a few conversations with Major League teams. During those conversations and talks with his college coach, there was uncertainty whether he would get selected in the MLB Draft or sign as a free agent.
No teams called Hill, so he went to play for the West Virginia Black Bears in Morgantown, W. Va., one of six teams in the summer MLB Draft League. He still stacked good numbers with the Black Bears, posting a .391 average and 59 hits over 37 games.
No MLB teams called through 2022.
Speedin' up the Hill 🏃♂️💨
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) June 28, 2024
Turner Hill notches his first Double-A hit! pic.twitter.com/DMREsWlhas
Hill was preparing to play with the Washington (Pennsylvania) Wild Things of the independent Frontier League the next season. During an inner squad scrimmage, he received a phone call from San Francisco Giants senior director of player development Kyle Haines. The Giants offered to sign him to a free agent deal.
“Haines called me and said that I was on their radar for a little bit in college, and I didn’t realize that,” Hill said. "It was definitely reassuring, especially because you feel like you’re working and working and working and putting together good seasons and nobody is seeing it. But it was reassuring to find out that there’s a lot more eyes on you than what you had realized.”
Now at Double-A, Hill mentioned the time of signing with the Giants happened so fast.
Hill still has a lot of love for his hometown and keeps connected with his siblings. Kail graduated from Marrietta College last year and started a new role as the head coach at the high school they attended, at just 23 years old.
“It’s awesome, and I know he’ll do a great job,” Hill said. "He’s got that fire in him. He’s another good baseball mind. I’m really happy and proud of him.”
TURNER HILL, SEND US HOME!!! WE'RE WALK-OFF WINNERS!!! pic.twitter.com/1HWN7rcoPK
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) July 7, 2024
Favorite sports stadium? – Ohio Stadium “The Horseshoe”
What’s your favorite food? – Steak and baked potato
Where did you go to college? – Marietta College
What’s the best movie of all time? – The Other Guys or Step Brothers
What is your favorite off-the-field activity? – Hanging out with friends
Favorite player growing up? – Joey Votto
Most inspirational people in your life? – My parents, Nicole and Steve Hill