The White Sox claimed Derek Hill off waivers to serve as a replacement for the injured Mike Tauchman.
Tauchman was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right knee meniscus tear and is expected to undergo surgery. Hill was designated for assignment by the Marlins earlier in the week before being claimed by the White Sox.
Though born in Des Moines, Iowa, Hill played his high school ball in Elk Grove, California, where his play earned him a first-round selection by the Detroit Tigers in the 2014 Draft, 23rd overall. Things haven’t clicked for Hill since entering the big leagues. Since 2020, the 29-year-old has suited up for five different teams over the last six seasons, all while bouncing between the minor league level.
Hill logged 95 games across three seasons in Detroit and 13 more with Washington in 2023. The following year, he saw action for three teams, playing 16 games with the Texas Rangers before getting DFA’d, five with San Francisco after a waiver claim, and 32 with Miami to close the season.
Hill began the 2025 season in Miami but was cut loose after batting .213 with a .606 OPS and 32.6% strikeout rate in 127 plate appearances. Hill has never been a significant offensive threat. In 617 career plate appearances, he owns a .228/.276/.348 slash line with 14 home runs, 54 RBIs, and a 30.6% strikeout rate. While his offense has been lacking, Hill has managed to find opportunities due to his speed and defense.
While his stolen base numbers don’t jump off the page, he has been efficient, swiping 23 bags in 28 attempts. This includes going 7-for-7 on stolen base attempts this season. Defensively, he has +9 Outs Above Average in 1,369 innings played across all three outfield positions.
Hill is viewed as a temporary placeholder. He will be arbitration-eligible for the first time in his career, so the White Sox will likely non-tender him once the season ends unless they think he can be a useful depth piece next season.
