Roster Watch: Can This Outfielder Play His Way Onto The Roster?

This Spring Training is a bit different from the last few years, as there is a bit more set in stone on the 26-man roster. However, there are certainly still some key positional battles. For the first time in what seems like a very long time, there aren’t roster battles at practically every position, as the White Sox likely have their starting lineup locked up. However, there are still a few backup spots in the infield and outfield up for grabs, as well as a few spots in the bullpen.

As we get closer to the regular season, we will look at each fringe roster player and their chances to make the team out of Spring Training. The next player we will take a look at is outfielder Derek Hill. 

Hill has played parts of six seasons in the major leagues, primarily with the Detroit Tigers. He first made his major league debut in 2020 with the Tigers but only played in 15 games. He then played in 49 games with the Tigers in 2021 and had a nice season.

In 2021, he hit .259 with three home runs and 14 RBIs. He also had a very solid .313 on base percentage. However, he didn’t have that great of a season in 2022, as he had a .229 average in 31 games with the Tigers. 

Hill then found himself with the Washington Nationals for 13 games in 2023, where he hit .170 with a .220 on base percentage. He did not have any home runs that year.

Hill spent 2024 split between three different teams and had a pretty solid year overall. He appeared in 53 major league games, hitting .241 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs. This was a pretty solid season. 

Last year he played with the Miami Marlins for 53 games. He hit .213 with three home runs and 10 RBIs. Later in the season he found himself on the White Sox via a waiver claim. He ended up playing in four games with the White Sox to end the season.

Hill looks to make the team out of Spring Training but has to compete with a solid core of outfielders. So far in Spring Training, Hill is hitting .250 with a .400 on base percentage over five games. This is pretty solid, however he may need to do more to make the team out of the spring.

Derek Hill follows a leadoff BB by Wade Jr. with a single to RF. 3-1 White Sox in the T4. pic.twitter.com/AqynnB2y4A

— FutureSox (@FutureSox) February 28, 2026

Overall, I would give him about a 40% chance to make the roster, as he has a few other guys to beat out to make the team. Otherwise, I’d expect him to get a lot of playing time in AAA with a call up to Chicago at some point if there is an injury.