Prep Baseball Report

Q&A With Oregon State Commit Isaac Hill


By: Diego Solares
Associate Scout, Staff Writer

Since we initially released our Oregon Class of 2022 rankings, RHP Isaac Hill (Hidden Valley) has always been penciled in towards the top of that list. The 6-foot, 190-pound Oregon State commit offers an advanced combination of polish, pitchability, and stuff when he toes the rubber, showing well at the Oregon ProCase in May and at the Area Code Games.

We spoke with Hill recently about his recruiting process, the expectations he had, and why he ultimately chose to call Corvallis his future home. Our chat, found below.

ISAAC HILL

Isaac Hill

Class of 2022 / RHP

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2022
  • Primary Position: RHP
    Secondary Position: SS
  • High School: Hidden Valley
    State: OR
  • Height: 6-0
    Weight: 190lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Scouting Report

8/26/21

 

In what was one of the cleaner appearances of the entire event, RHP Isaac Hill (Hidden Valley HS, OR) closed out his summer with two clean innings that took only 22 pitches (73 percent strikes). The 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-hander worked 87-89 (2300 rpm) creating some steeper downhill plane while demonstrating impressive ability to back spin the baseball. He struck out two, helped by a 76-79 curveball that tunneled the fastball with sharper break. Hill is an Oregon State recruit.



OUR Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Hill: I expected it to be a little crazy and tough making decisions. I was looking for a college that is not only athletically elite, but academically as well. I was looking for a college that Has a coaching staff that cares about the players with a family or brotherhood atmosphere, and a desire to win and work hard.

P: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

H: Yes, I wanted to be in-state to be closer with my family. Now I can see them often and they can watch me play often as well

P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

H: Summer after freshman year was when I made jumps velo wise and that helped get my name out there a lot more through social media. Although the first time OSU saw me pitch was at a prospect camp at their facilities summer after freshman year.

P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

H: Brotherhood atmosphere, the want to win, put in work everyday, take care of work in classrooms, and the coaching staff made me feel at home. Made me feel like I'm a safe place.

P: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

H: Oregon was my second option.

P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

H: ATH Ely Kennel (Santiam Christian, 2022; Oregon State). Very powerful hitter that can make contact on just about any pitch.

P: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

H: Honestly, it took until I got my first offer for me to realize that I could play at the college level. I never thought I was good enough to play college until I got an offer.

P: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

H: Keep your head down, focus on the things you can control, and be patient. Your time will come and opportunities will come and when they do make the most of them. Enjoy them.

P: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

H: Hitting a walk off grand slam to win a state championship in my high school season last year.

P: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

H: We have a very strong group this year. We haven't lost many of the guys we had last year. This year I think we have a chance to have another really special year.

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