FORMER WILD THINGS OUTFIELDER TURNER HILL HEADED TO BIG LEAGUES WITH CONTRACT SELECTION BY SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

WASHINGTON, Pa. (August 14) – For the 10^th time in franchise history, a former Wild Things is headed to the big leagues, as the San Francisco Giants are selecting the contract of outfielder Turner Hill to the MLB roster. Turner was with the Wild Things in camp during the 2023 season before having his contract purchased by the San Francisco organization prior to the start of the regular season. 

“I’m sure this will be an incredibly special moment for Turner, his family and everyone who has supported him throughout his journey,” said sixth-year Wild Things manager Tom Vaeth. “He has earned this opportunity through his talent, preparation and dedication, and we’re excited to see him take the field. For any player, reaching the Major Leagues represents the culmination of a lifelong dream and we as an organization are just so proud and humbled that we played a small part in it by giving him his start in professional baseball.”

Hill goes to the big leagues having hit safely in his last 26 games for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, which became a new franchise record after 19 years of the previous record on August 11 at 25 games. He was off to an incredible start this season. Between Double-A Richmond and Sacramento, Hill is slashing .352/.426/.956 in 2026 with 125 hits, 77 runs scored, nine homers and 68 RBI to go with 24 stolen bases. 

He’s been at most every level of the Giants system since 2023, sporting a four-year MiLB slash line of .295/.384/.415 with 79 doubles, 19 triples, 14 homers and 173 RBI, plus he’s got 101 career affiliated stolen bases. 

The Wild Things sold the contract of the outfielder to the Giants May 6, 2023. The Marietta, Ohio native was getting ready for his first pro season, which then shifted to be played with the Giants’ affiliates. He was a part of the MLB Draft League’s West Virginia Black Bears club in 2022 and won the league’s batting title at .391 in 37 games. He won that title by .042 points and his .463 OBP also led the league. The Black Bears won the MLB Draft League title that season. 

Hill was an All-American and an All-Region player, OAC Player of the Year and an All-OAC First Team selection in 2021 at Marietta College after three seasons at Malone University. In 2022, he was All-Region, All-OAC First Team and conference Player of the Year. Then he was named All-American by two organizations for the second time with the Pioneers. 

Turner’s the first Marietta College (Division III) alum to make the major leagues since Matt DeSalvo made it in 2007. DeSalvo, a New Castle, Pennsylvania native, graduated from Union Area High School before playing at Marietta. He played for the Steel City Slammin’ Sammies in Washington’s COVID pod in 2020. Another notable Marietta alum to play in the majors is former Wild Things Director of Baseball Operations Kent Tekulve, known well for his World Series-winning time with the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Hill will become the second former Wild Thing to get called up to The Show by the Giants, joining Spencer Bivens, who made his big-league debut in 2024 with San Francisco and is still pitching in the organization. 

This call up is unique as well, as Turner will be the first former Wild Things position player to get the call. The other nine that have appeared on big league rosters are all pitchers: Tom Cochran (2007), Vidal Nuño III (2011), Chris Smith (2011-12), Zac Grotz (2016), James Meeker (2018-21), Spencer Bivens (2020-21). Austin Kitchen (2020), Isaac Mattson (2022) and Alex Carrillo (2024). The 10 are by far the most former players to reach MLB for any team in the history of the Frontier League.