Position: OF
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 175 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 08/25/2000
High School: Nettleton HS (Jonesboro, AR)
Drafted: 6th Round, 166th Overall, 2018 (Giants)
How Acquired: Rule 5 Draft, Minor League Phase (from Giants)
Bonus: $520,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2024
Options Left: 3
Overview
Hilson got an above-slot bonus from the Giants in the sixth round of the 2018 draft as a toolsy center fielder. He has 70 grade speed, good range in center and a strong arm. He also has some power potential. So far, though, he’s struggled at the plate. He spent three full years and most of a fourth in rookie ball, and of course also missed the pandemic season. He’s had trouble making contact, hasn’t walked much, and struggled to reach the Mendoza line his first three years. He did suddenly show signs of life in 2022.
2018-21
Hilson spent all of 2018, 2019 and 2021 in the Arizona Complex League. His OPS stayed between .616 and .657, and he consistently fanned in over a third of his plate appearances. He showed a little power the first two years but not the third.
2022-23
In 2022, Hilson went back to the ACL and suddenly started to hit, batting 295/381/563 with nine home runs. That did come, though, with a 30% K rate. The Giants moved him up to Low Class A and he had a .950 OPS in 11 games there. Hilson went back to the level in 2023 and batted 247/283/420 over 80 games. His K rate dropped all the way to 16%, but he walked only 4% of the time. In 2022-23 combined, Hilson stole 27 bases in 29 tries.
2024
The Pirates selected Hilson in the minor league phase of the 2023 Rule 5 draft. In 2024, he started the season at Bradenton. He batted just .135 there but after he’d played 17 games the Pirates moved him up to Greensboro. At the higher level, Hilson started hitting for surprising power, finishing with 13 home runs and a 257/317/443 line in 85 games. One caveat is the fact that nine of the 13 home runs came in the Greensboro ballpark. Hilson’s walk rate of 7% was low, but his K rate of 25% slightly better than average for the league. He played all three outfield spots, most often center, and stole 14 bases in 17 tries.
Stats
Transactions
June 5, 2018: Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 6th round, 166th overall pick; signed on June 17.
December 6, 2023: Selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the San Francisco Giants in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.