2022 MLB Draft: Kennedy Catholic's Gary Gill-Hill drafted in sixth round by Tampa Bay Rays

When looking back at his entire baseball journey, Gary Gill-Hill thought of the ups and downs throughout his career. Through those ebbs and flows, however, some things remained constant: his dream of playing in the MLB and his high work ethic.

Since he first fell in love with the sport at the age of four while admiring the play of former longtime New York Yankee Bernie Williams, Gill-Hill aimed to play in the big leagues one day. Now, he's one step closer to realizing that dream after getting selected in the sixth round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Tampa Bay Rays Monday night.

"It was very exciting, realizing how real this moment is," said Gill-Hill, who spent his draft night watching from a computer at home with his family before a celebratory dinner afterwards. "Just getting here to this goal from all the hard work I put in to get here. I'd say there were a lot of ups and downs because, when I was younger, I was used to being one of the best players. Then, when I got on the big field, everything kind of evened out because I was still small and skinny, then I kept working at it. These past two years, I was able to see those results pay off and especially right now."

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Gill-Hill, who resides in Walden, New York, quickly developed a reputation for being one of the top pitchers in the Hudson Valley. A standout ace at Kennedy Catholic, he was named to the Journal News/lohud.com Westchester/Putnam first-team all-stars in each of the last two seasons.

As a senior, he posted a 6-2 record with a 1.28 ERA, 66 strikeouts and 11 walks in 49⅔ innings. Gill-Hill also pitched three no-hitters and was named first-team all-league by the CHSAA.

"He worked very hard for this and I'm just so thrilled and happy for him and his family," Gaels coach Bob Fletcher said. "He works very hard. He has such a very quick arm, and he's very consistent with his motion. His arm action is really fast and that's what separates him at this point. He's also a very humble, kind and generous kid. Just an outstanding teammate and genuine person."

Gill-Hill was originally slated to attend Fairleigh Dickinson but reopened his recruitment. He committed to Wake Forest in late June instead, but he's now considering making the jump to play at the next level.

"I'm pretty sure I'll sign with the Rays," Gill-Hill said. "But my advisor and I are still negotiating stuff and finalizing things."

The 6-foot-2 righty is considered a high-upside prospect. His fastball is approaching the mid-90s and has topped out at 95. At just 17-years old, there's plenty of room for growth. Gill-Hill feels his command and ability to hit his spots are his best assets, and he hopes to work on further developing his off-speed pitches.

"I was really excited about everything," said Gill-Hill. "A little nervous at first, but then I calmed down. Everything was happening pretty fast in my eyes, then I was able to finally get a call from the Rays saying that I would be drafted by them."

While he's enjoying his latest accomplishment and the congratulatory fanfare from friends, family, teammates and coaches, Gill-Hill can't wait for the next phase of his career.

The Rays have a knack for developing solid pitchers. Since 2010, they recorded a team ERA that's below 4.00 in 11 of 12 seasons and are well on pace to repeat that once again this year. Of all the other MLB teams, only the Los Angeles Dodgers match that feat.

Gill-Hill has a message for what his future teammates and Tampa Bay fans can expect from him.

"I'm there to do my job, no matter what," he said. "If anything isn't going my way, I'll just come back stronger, show no emotion and keep doing what I need to do.

"They'll get the best version of me, a hard worker from a small town. Up here in Walden, there's not really much of anything, so I had to work harder than all the kids down south and all the other kids that were given a chance way earlier than me."

Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Baseball: Kennedy Catholic's Gary Gill-Hill drafted by Tampa Bay Rays