Derek Hill DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins outfielder Dane Myers and Derek Hill are set to compete for the starting center field job during spring training. Jackson also noted that Victor Mesa Jr. could also be in the mix. Last season, Myers held a .263/.333/.442 line with six doubles and two home runs across 44 games in the majors. He generated a strong 47.5 percent hard-hit and 11.5 percent barrel rates. However, he held a hefty 33.3 percent strikeout rate. Hill spent time with the Rangers and Giants before moving to Miami to end his campaign. He posted a .234/.259/.402 line with seven home runs and six stolen bases. He showed elite speed as he placed in the 95th percentile but held an underwhelming .294 xwOBA. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor their progress during spring training as the eventual starter could have value in deeper NL-only formats.

Miami Marlins outfielder Derek Hill had a nice game on Thursday, going 3-for-6 with a pair of homers in a 12-8 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Hill tacked on a pair of runs and three RBI to round out his line. The 28-year-old has found a place in the everyday lineup for the Marlins since being acquired by them at the trade deadline, and he's at least been able to provide some power and speed. He has four homers and three steals on the month, but his batting average has remained low. He isn't a terrible deep-league option for those in need of some power or speed, but he doesn't have much appeal outside of that.

Texas Rangers outfielder Derek Hill had a huge game on Sunday Night Baseball, going 2-for-4 with two homers and three RBI in an 11-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Hill smacked his first longball in the second inning, then went back for more in the fifth. The 28-year-old journeyman has had two monster seasons in the minors, especially this year where he is slashing .350/.415/.631 with 35 runs, eight homers, 17 RBI, and seven steals in just 176 plate appearances. While he has basically no major league track record and is likely only in the majors until Evan Carter returns, he could end up getting decent playing time as long as he keeps hitting. He is someone to keep an eye on in deeper leagues.