Nationals Sign Former First-Rounder

The Washington Nationals are already getting ready for some spring training battles, by adding free agent center fielder Derek Hill in a minor league deal.

Source: The Nationals have signed outfielder Derek Hill to a minors deal with an invite to spring training. A former first-round pick by the Tigers, Hill finished last season with the Mariners after Seattle claimed him off waivers in August.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) November 15, 2022

Hill gets an invite to spring training to compete for an outfield spot. The former first-round pick by the Detroit Tigers in 2014, Hill finished last season with the Seattle Mariners after they claimed him off waivers from the Tigers in August.

The 26-year-old hasn't lit the majors on fire with his bat thus far, but one thing Hill certainly has no trouble with is providing stellar defense:

Derek Hill has a hell of a glove pic.twitter.com/G4a39K2n5O https://t.co/Yd47nPzG6P
— Kev (@OnePursuitTakes) November 15, 2022

Hill has spent parts of the last three seasons in the bigs with Detroit, playing a total of 95 games, with a .240 average and a .630 OPS.

He'll try to make his way into the Nats outfield in 2023. The team is in the midst of a complete rebuild after the Juan Soto trade, so everything is wide open for the taking heading into next season.

Photo: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports