51s’ Hill getting job done at the plate and behind it

Friday, Aug. 29, 2003 | 9:16 a.m.

51s snap shot

In Atlanta on Aug. 3, Mullen gave up three earned runs in three innings, courtesy of two hits and five walks, in an eventual 8-4 win for the Dodgers.

A day after being named to the Pacific Coast League all-star team, a groggy Koyie Hill learned of that recognition in his Fresno hotel room via a noon wake-up call from a reporter.

A 24-year-old catcher, Hill was the only Las Vegas 51 named to the prestigious squad.

"It's news to me right now," he said. "It's the first time I heard it. It's a big thrill, obviously. Anytime you can do that, it's a nice honor. I don't know what else to say.

Hill's bat has done an abundance of his talking this season. His catching abilities have improved, too, and he will be a prime candidate to be called up to the Dodgers when they expand their roster to 40 on Monday.

With Todd Hundley still on the mend from back surgery and Paul Lo Duca's versatility, Hill could find himself backing up David Ross on the Dodgers' depth chart at catcher next week.

He was on the Dodgers' 40-man roster over the winter, and has spent most of his past two springs with the big leaguers in Vero Beach, Fla.

"That's more of a numbers thing," Hill said of starting the season at Double-A and possibly finishing it in a Dodgers uniform. "They're going for a playoff run, and if I figure into that, great. If they think I can help them, that would be awesome.

"If not, you understand. If them taking an extra pitcher, or another guy with more experience, leaves me off, you can understand that. You sit and don't expect anything, and kind of hope everything goes your way."

Hill has had a lot going for him since he hit .355 in three seasons as Wichita State's third baseman. The Dodgers picked him in the fourth round of the 2000 draft, then switched him to catcher.

Jon Debus, the Dodgers' minor-league catching instructor, said he was "so excited" to be able to hone a switch-hitting prospect at catcher.

"I'm so proud of that kid," Debus said Wednesday night as he watched a game at Single-A Vero Beach. "He's come such a long way."

Hill can't thank the team's brain trust enough for the move.

"I don't even want to think about how much more different it would have been ... he's been the biggest help in the world," Hill said of Debus. "I couldn't ask for anything more. He comes in and tells me what I need to do and what I don't need to do."

Hill was called to Las Vegas in early May after the Dodgers nabbed Ross from Las Vegas. Hill hit in 14 of his first 15 games, for a .404 average.

His worst stretch at the plate was a 1-for-24 slump last month that dropped his batting average to .313. Last week, he hit home runs in back-to-back games for the first time at the highest minor-league level.

Of the regulars on the 51s, Hill is second in hitting at .320.

Surrounded by former 51s Bubba Crosby and Chris Clapinski, and current Las Vegas players Chin-Feng Chen, Chad Hermansen and Rick Bell, all season, Hill said he couldn't fail.

"A bunch of good hitters," Hill said. "Everyone sees a lot of good pitches, and I've been able to take advantage of getting some good pitches to hit. There's some luck, too, but I've been pretty comfortable in the box my whole life.

"It's something I've never really struggled with a tremendous amount. Obviously, like anyone else, I have my ups and downs. But, for the most part, getting into the box is something I've looked at as a break."

A break from managing various approaches and attitudes of an entire pitching staff. Standing at the plate with a bat, Hill's mind is uncluttered. Crouching behind that plate, he has learned to go with the flow.

That hasn't always been the case. Hill first hooked up with Debus in an instructional league after the 2001 season. Right away, Debus noted the "high-strung and head-strong tendencies" of his star pupil.

Debus had to tone down the spirited and passionate Hill, which Debus relished; most often, he has worked with quiet-natured catchers who would have prospered by playing with more tenacity.

The former, according to Debus, is simpler than the latter. He said 80 percent of his sessions and talks with Hill have centered on keeping cool and working with others to achieve common goals.

"There was work to do in that area, and he knew it," Debus said. "It was a battle, and there was a time when I don't think he understood. He realizes that now. He's young, and I knew he'd mature.

"At Triple-A, it's a whirlwind. Rosters change dramatically. They go up (to the majors), down (to Double-A, or worse). They're disappointed, or happy. That's multiplied in the big leagues, and he must handle all that."

Hill had to find common ground with each pitcher he caught. The fastball isn't working? Then don't throw it just to throw it Go with what's working. You like to nibble? I like to challenge? Let's nibble.

In that respect, Hill said 51s pitching coach Shawn Barton and a core group of veteran pitchers who have had stints in the big time have been invaluable to his growth.

"That's just another tribute to everyone else on the team," Hill said. "I've learned so much from every single guy on the staff, too. It's not so 'right or wrong' anymore. It's whatever makes (situations) better.

"I'm not so stubborn with it."

Unless, of course, he doesn't get his sleep.

A 32-year-old versatile infielder, Clapinski homered in the first inning and eventually scored four times in the Bats' 11-1 victory in Columbus, Ohio.

An opportunity for Clapinski to play in the majors was enhanced with the move, as Cincinnati's roster has been purged by injury and trades this season.

Las Vegas general manager Don Logan confirmed that the transaction was completed as a favor from the Dodgers to Clapinski, a sixth-year free agent who hit .306 in 34 games for the Florida Marlins in 2000.

The Dodgers did not send for him during his two seasons with the 51s, so LA basically allowed Cincinnati to take a free look at Clapinski this week. Don't be surprised if he's wearing a Reds uniform next week.

"It goes to show you, there is some good-heartedness left in this business," Logan said. "He opened eyes the last couple years, especially hitting. He's been a good guy for us, and he'll have a better chance of getting to the big leagues.

"I think he wanted to know if he'd get called up (to the Dodgers) in September. I think the answer came back as no. When that happened, his agent went looking for opportunities for him."

Manager Dino Ebel has marveled over the strength of Miller, a 6-foot-5, 190-pound left-hander who has hit 95 mph in the seventh inning.

With good reason, he hasn't been allowed to go farther than seven innings. In fact, he has developed tendinitis in his valuable left arm that caused him to miss his last start.

"Nothing major," Ebel said. "He's day-to-day. We just didn't want to take any chances. This kid, like you've heard, will be outstanding."

It might have been the 51s' finest hour, or two, of 2003.

At Cashman Field on April 24, Vegas tagged Harden for six hits, four walks and seven earned runs in an eventual 8-2 victory against Sacramento. Harden even threw a wild pitch during his 4 2/3 innings of work.

Bubba Crosby, since traded to the Yankees, hit a three-run homer, and Jason Romano and Calvin Murray both had two hits.

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