Not all paths to the big leagues are linear.
Nothing is guaranteed, not even for high draft picks, and adversity in many forms is more the norm than the glamorized, easy-breezy path to the game’s highest level.
So, in a way, 2018 New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series National Tournaments and International Week alum GJ Hill‘s story isn’t special. In the ways that matter, however, it can be.
Known at the time as Glenallen Hill, Jr., the then-Arizona State University commit was a lightning rod for NorCal Baseball, drawing a lot of eyes as a potential early pick in the upcoming 2019 MLB Draft. He did little to hurt that stock at Camelback Ranch, serving as a spark plug on the basepaths after reaching base three times over the course of the three-game event.
More coming to @FSS_PLUS soon, as GJ Hill was kind enough to sit down with us for a few minutes to discuss his path back to affiliated ball with the Rockies and much, much more. pic.twitter.com/3oO2k9ua5m
— New Balance ?????? ????? ?????? (@ftrstarsseries) April 24, 2025
He was selected in the fourth round by the Arizona Diamondbacks and sent immediately to their rookie ball affiliate to start his pro career. To see it all end in that organization so suddenly, just a few years later, to those who didn’t know what was really going on, was shocking.
“Middle of 2022, ended up asking for my release,” Hill told FSS Plus. “Long story short, I was just in a real bad place mentally and needed to get away from the game, so I ended up doing that.”
Hill’s production in the D’Backs system never seemed to match the immense tools he displayed on the amateur circuit; he never hit over .212 in a full season, and was plagued by strikeouts during that 2021 season in Low-A Visalia, recording 168 of them in 420 plate appearances.
“I always just felt like I was a shell of my true self when I was there,” he said. “When you’re not in a good spot mentally, it’s really going to affect your play. So I felt like it wasn’t a true expression of what I can do in the baseball field. So, it’s been fun to get a new spot and have a little change of scenery and play the game.”
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That process started by taking the path less traveled.
Now 24, Hill was let go per his request in June of 2022, and ended up spending some of the remainder of that year and all of 2023 with the independent Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League. It was there where things started to turn around both off and on the field, with Hill finding his game to the tune of a .266 average, 15 home runs, and 44 RBI in 70 games.
“Total rejuvenation,” Hill said. “It was very refreshing, especially the group of people I was around in Joliet. I made some lifelong friends, and it was a great group of guys. Just really sparked my love for the game again, and it was a really good time. I’d say, feeling like yourself as a person and as a whole, I was able to translate that on the baseball field and play freely. I think the numbers reflected that.”
Real nice piece of hitting by 2018 International Week star GJ Hill for the @GoYardGoats tonight.
Sat on the breaker and sent it pull side with hard contact for a single. pic.twitter.com/vcFG27JitD
— New Balance ?????? ????? ?????? (@ftrstarsseries) April 23, 2025
The Colorado Rockies took notice and signed Hill to a minor-league contract prior to the 2024 season, one in which he rewarded them for taking a chance on him. He once again emerged as a legitimate prospect with a stunning 20-homer campaign split between Low-A, High-A, and Double-A, hitting a career-best .267 with 47 RBI and 16 steals.
Despite a slower start back in Double-A with the Hartford Yard Goats this year, Hill feels like he’s in a good spot and is confident that he can continue to show who he really is in a still-new organization.
“It’s definitely real nice to be back in affiliated baseball, and just have another opportunity to continue to chase the dream of making the big leagues,” he said. “I’m just trying to take it one day at a time and keep having a blast. For me, I truly believe if you’re playing affiliated baseball, you’ve got a shot. Being on the outside looking in for a minute there, you really learn to cherish these spots and cherish every opportunity you get here.”
Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked seven Super Bowls, 11 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,200 games covered in his career.
An avid card collector and sim racer, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son William, and their beloved dog, Bailey, and cat, Smokey.
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