Hill Signs With Tigers, Gets $2M Bonus

Instead of becoming a Duck, former Elk Grove High School standout Derek Hill will become a Tiger.

The recent EGHS graduate signed a professional baseball contract Sunday with Detroit, the Major League club that selected him in the first round June 3.  MLB.com’s Jim Callis reported Hill received a $2 million signing bonus for being the 23^rd overall pick.

Hill had signed a NCAA National Letter-of-Intent to play collegiately at Oregon.

He spent last weekend at the Tigers’ Spring Training facility in Lakeland, Fla., before being assigned to one of the minor league clubs. 

Derek Hill, now catching flyballs for the Detroit Tigers

"There are similarities with Derek's style and when Torii (Hunter) came out of high school," said David Chadd, vice president of amateur scouting. "I think there are similarities to Austin Jackson.

"He's got a lot of energy. He has a lot of running ability. I don't like comparisons, I don't think they're fair at a young age, but I certainly think the style of play compares."

During live televised coverage of the MLB Draft, commentator Harold Reynolds called Hill, “the best centerfielder in the entire draft.”

Carda Named All-American

UCLA pitcher Ally Carda, who played locally at Pleasant Grove High School, was named NFCA First Team All-American Wednesday.

Additionally, Carda, a junior, was named the Pac-12 Conference’s Player of the Year this season.  On the mound she was 32-5 with a 1.90 ERA and had 230 strikeouts in 220 2/3 innings.

UCLA's Ally Carda

But, Carda’s outstanding season didn’t end in the field. At the plate she had a .394 batting average with 13 home runs and 55 RBI’s. He led the Bruins with 69 hits. 

The Bruins, thought to be a favorite to make the Women’s College World Series, were upset May 25 in back-to-back losses to Kentucky in the Los Angeles Super Regional. UCLA ended the year 52-8, the most wins by the Bruins since 2003.

Alyssa Tiumalu, who was also a teammate of Carda’s at Pleasant Grove, concluded her college career at UCLA by batting .248 with six homers and 24 RBI’s.

Kyle Larson To Receive Key To City

Elk Grove Mayor Gary Davis will give NASCAR driver Kyle Larson, an Elk Grove resident, the key to the city in a special ceremony Wednesday.

Larson, a 21-year-old rookie on NASCAR’s Sprint Cup (NSCS) circuit, will be in town to promote the upcoming Toyota/Save-Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway.

This year Larson has two top-five and five top-ten finishes on the Sprint Cup circuit, along with two wins in the Nationwide circuit.

NASCAR driver Kyle Larson

Larson will be the first recipient of a key to the City in Elk Grove. According to a city news relase, the program was established in 2013 as a symbolic gesture of appreciation to honor outstanding contributions of notable Elk Grove natives and residents. 

“It’s an honor to be recognized by Mayor Davis, the Elk Grove City Council and residents of Elk Grove,” Larson said. “When I started racing go-karts around Elk Grove I always hoped to end up in NASCAR, but knew it would take a lot of time and effort to get there. Although my racing frequently took me out of town, I’m proud to call Elk Grove home and proud to represent the city when I race. Being the first Elk Grove native to be recognized with a Key to the City is really special, and I look forward to giving the people here more to cheer about in the future.”

Larson is a native of Elk Grove and a graduate of Pleasant Grove High

School, and has been racing since he was seven.

He currently is tenth in NSCS point standings and is the top rookie on the circuit.