On Saturday night in the third inning of Lehigh Valley’s game against Worcester Darick Hall belted a home run to center field. The feat in itself wasn’t uncommon for those of us who follow the Phillies minor leagues - in fact it was the 154th of his minor league career, by my ongoing research only Joe Lis with 164 (1964-1970,1972) has hit more minor league home runs in a Phillies affiliate uniform, still working on confirming that though. What is definitive fact is that it was Darick’s 70th home run as a Lehigh Valley IronPig which sets the new franchise record breaking Andy Tracy’s mark of 69 (2008-2010).
We’ve known Darick since he first joined the organization in 2016 as the 14th round draft selection of that year’s draft from Dallas Baptist University. Our first time watching him play was as a member of the Williamsport Crosscutters who were then the short season affiliate of the Phillies. I remember writing an article about how we were impressed with the young man’s interaction with fans before the game as he not only took the time for autographs but made an effort to also engage in conversation.
The following spring we got to meet him in person, the genuine sincerity of his being shined thru. It’s something that everyone who’s ever gotten to know him always remarks. Darick is a young man who is truly kind and interactive, he’s respectful of others and has a presence about him that is true. He was that way when we first chatted in 2017 and to this day.
On the baseball field back then we noted his aggressive approach - seemingly hit everything hard and jumped at pitches. Devoured fastballs. I remember a road minor league ST game at Dunedin where he crushed a majestic home run sending it far beyond the right center field fence - drives like that have become the norm and earned him the nickname “Long Ball Hall”.
After hitting nine home runs at Williamsport in his first season he was promoted to Lakewood to begin the 2017 regular season. Darick had an outstanding year at the then Low A New Jersey affiliate and won the South Atlantic League MVP award with a .272/.340/.533 slash line, 28 doubles, 27 home runs and 96 RBIs. He was promoted to Clearwater to end the year (played seven games with CW) and homered in his first game as a Thresher against the Rays affiliate in Port Charlotte. That summer we made our only visit to date to the home of the BlueClaws, my wife and I bought Darick and teammates Will Hibbs and Jonathan Hennigan dinner at the Longhorn while there - our first of what has become an honor to treat Phillies minor league players to a meal on occasion.
Watching him in 2017 Fall Instructs solidified my belief that he could become a major league contributor, it was evident when chatting with him that he was a baseball sponge who truly wanted to learn and progress. As was the case then and now he cares deeply about his profession and often thinks about approach, how to improve. A prominent coach told me that perhaps the big fella thinks too much 🤓. But yet it is also evident he is well grounded - I remember a BP session where he was struggling - then Phillies minor league instructor John Mizerock barked at him “Come on Hall! You’re not a freaking pitcher yet!” - Darick broke out in laughter as did many others - Miz knew that Darick was also a starting pitcher in college and played on that angle 🤓.
In 2018 Darick opened with the Threshers and tore the cover off the ball - he posted 12 doubles, 11 home runs and 35 RBIs in 173 AB’s - was promoted to Reading on 6/1/18 where he finished the year hitting 15 home runs and posting 52 RBIs. He was chosen to participate in the Arizona Fall League after the season where he hit four home runs in 18 games of play.
2019 brought a return to Reading for the full season - he hit 20 home runs and drove in 62 runs in a season where offensive numbers were down in general across the minor leagues. 2020 was the lost season of minor league baseball but also the first year that the big fella signed up for winter ball - he played for Los Mochis in the Mexican League and got 91 AB’s in 21 games.
The 2021 season brought Darick’s second official non-roster invitation to spring training - he hit his second Grapefruit League home run (has nine total in 84 games played) - camp broke and he was assigned to the IronPigs for the first time. He got off to a very slow start in April and May but rebounded in the later half of the season. I remember chatting with him and listening to the adjustments he was making to get out of what was the first prolonged slump of his career.
2022 was a different start altogether - after making a strong impression once again in big league spring training he opened the season at LHV with 20 home runs and 67 RBIs - on June 28th he got the message every minor league hopes for - he was being called to the major leagues! I remember being so excited for him that my wife Barb and I called him to offer our congratulations - reached him as he was enroute from Syracuse (where the IronPigs were playing that week) - in typical Darick style he was pleasant and welcoming - said he was very excited for the opportunity! In just his second major league game he clubbed his first big league home run!
Darick made the opening day roster for the 2023 Phillies as the starting first baseman, unfortunately on April 5th he broke a bone in his hand and went on the IL. We met up with him again when he came to Clearwater to rehab at the complex. The big club needed him to return sooner than he was ready (in my opinion) and he struggled once recalled - Darick was optioned and finished the season at LHV as Bryce Harper took over as the regular at first base in the show.
This season has been one filled with some weird set backs - he’s spent time on the IL after having an abscessed tooth removed and also being hit in the dugout in the head with a line drive foul ball that put him in concussion protocol. Yet he’s persevered and is on a good role again (.341/.431/.659 slash line with 5 doubles, 3 home runs and 12 RBIs in 44 July AB’s). I’m not one to write about or proclaim “expertise” on what players can’t do - I leave that to others who think they’re versed to do so - what I can tell you is that Darick has a big league skillset that is evident and a golden major league persona. Like many others in the very competitive business of pro baseball he just needs to be afforded an extended opportunity. In the interim as he has often told me - he will play “where his feet are” and feel both appreciative and fortunate to do so - I’m proud to know him and am hopeful that at some point he gets another chance to be on a major league diamond because that’s what really good players and really good people deserve.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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