As 45-year-old Rich Hill makes his debut with the Kansas City Royals, becoming MLB’s oldest active player, the spotlight turns to baseball’s enduring veterans. Hill’s start against the Cubs marks his record-tying 14th team, a testament to his longevity in the game.

How does Hill compare to other ageless wonders still playing today? While Justin Verlander (42) previously held the title of MLB’s oldest player, Hill now joins a rare group of 40+ athletes defying time, including Adam Wainwright and Nelson Cruz. His journey mirrors legends like Nolan Ryan, who pitched until 46.

The Royals’ gamble on Hill—despite his 5.36 ERA in Triple-A—highlights baseball’s enduring fascination with veteran savvy. His signature curveball and adaptability continue to challenge hitters, proving age is just a number in America’s pastime.

Who Are the Oldest Active MLB Players Besides Rich Hill and How Does Kansas City Royals’ Veteran Compare to Baseball Legends?

Rich Hill Makes History: 45-Year-Old Becomes Oldest Active MLB Player

With his start for the Kansas City Royals against the Chicago Cubs, Rich Hill has officially become the oldest active player in Major League Baseball at age 45. The left-hander, who has now played for 14 different teams (tying Edwin Jackson’s record), posted a 4-4 record with a 5.36 ERA in nine starts at Triple-A Omaha before his call-up.

What makes Hill’s longevity even more remarkable is that he’s one of only five players aged 45+ to appear in MLB since 2010, joining an elite group that includes Jamie Moyer, Omar Vizquel, Bartolo Colon, and Tim Wakefield. His ERA this season may not dazzle, but the mere fact he’s competing at baseball’s highest level at this age defies conventional wisdom about athletic prime years.

Age is just a number when you’ve got that veteran savvy. Hill’s sweeping curveball might have lost some zip, but he’s mastered the art of changing speeds and locating pitches better than most rookies.

But doesn’t his 5.36 ERA in Omaha suggest he’s barely hanging on? I wonder how long the Royals will keep giving him chances.

ERA tells part of the story, but his real value comes from clubhouse leadership and teaching younger pitchers. That’s why teams keep signing him – he’s basically a player-coach at this point.

Current MLB Players Who Could Play Until 45 Like Rich Hill

While Rich Hill stands alone as MLB’s current elder statesman, several active players have shown the potential to chase similar longevity. Angels pitcher Adam Wainwright (43) continues to compete at a high level, while Nelson Cruz (44 this month) has transitioned to a designated hitter role to extend his career. Justin Verlander, though currently injured at 41, has expressed desire to pitch into his late 40s.

The real dark horse might be two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. At 30, he’s already proving that elite hitting and pitching can coexist, potentially giving him multiple avenues to extend his career should one skillset decline. Pitchers with excellent command (like Clayton Kershaw) and hitters with disciplined approaches (like Joey Votto) also profile as candidates for extreme longevity.

Players with Best Chance to Play Past 40

• Shohei Ohtani (Dual role provides backup plan)
• Justin Verlander (Elite mechanics could prevent breakdown)
• Joey Votto (Exceptional plate discipline ages well)
• Clayton Kershaw (Pitchability transcends velocity loss)
• Nolan Arenado (Gold Glove defense provides floor)

How Rich Hill’s Stats Stack Up Against Other MLB Greats at Age 45

Comparing Hills’s age-45 season to other baseball legends reveals why his continued presence on a MLB roster is so extraordinary. Jamie Moyer, the last pitcher to start games at age 49, had a 5.70 ERA in his age-45 season but still managed 16 wins thanks to run support. Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan famously threw his 7th no-hitter at age 44 while maintaining a 2.91 ERA.

What’s fascinating is how Hill’s late career mirrors Moyer’s – neither ever threw hard, instead relying on deception and pitch sequencing. That craftiness ages much better than pure velocity.

Still, these numbers show Hill isn’t close to Ryan or Clemens at this stage. Should the Royals really be giving starts to someone with a 5+ ERA in the minors?

For development purposes, absolutely. Having Hill mentor Kansas City’s young starters like Singer and Lyles provides intangible benefits beyond his stat line. Most contenders wouldn’t carry him, but for a rebuilding club, it makes sense.

Why Do the Kansas City Royals Keep Signing Veteran Pitchers Past Their Prime?

The Royals’ decision to call up Hill continues their recent pattern of signing veteran pitchers during rebuilds. In 2023, they gave starts to Zack Greinke (then 39) and Jordan Lyles (32). This strategy serves multiple purposes: filling innings to protect young arms, providing clubhouse leadership, and potentially flipping veterans at the trade deadline for prospects.

Kansas City’s pitching development system has struggled in recent years, making veteran mentorship particularly valuable. Prospects like Alec Marsh and Jonathan Bowlan can benefit from seeing how crafty veterans like Hill prepare and adjust when their stuff isn’t dominant. The Royals clearly believe one month of Hill’s experience could accelerate development more than giving those same innings to another AAA pitcher.

Recent Royals Veteran Pitcher Projects

• Zack Greinke (2021-2023) – 4.13 ERA as player/mentor
• Jordan Lyles (2023) – 6.28 ERA before trade
• Mike Minor (2021) – 5.05 ERA in lone season
• Danny Duffy (2021) – 4.06 ERA before trade

The Secret to Rich Hill’s Longevity: Breaking Down His Unique Routine

Hill’s ability to pitch at 45 stems from an obsessive dedication to maintenance and adaptability. He’s one of MLB’s foremost proponents of analytics, using Rapsodo and other technologies to make incremental pitch adjustments. His between-starts routine includes extensive hot/cold therapy, resistance band work to protect his shoulder, and a modified weightlifting program emphasizing mobility over bulk.

Perhaps most impressive is how Hill reinvented himself after nearly washing out of baseball in 2015. Transitioning to a fastball-curveball heavy approach from the stretch position led to a career renaissance with Boston. Now, he’s proving that pitchers can thrive well into their 40s by relentlessly optimizing their process rather than chasing lost velocity.

But does all this maintenance work really make the difference? Could any pitcher last this long with perfect habits?

It’s not just the routine – Hill has an exceptional feel for pitching that can’t be taught. The maintenance just allows that feel to keep playing. Most guys lose either the physical ability or the mental edge well before 45.

That makes sense. If it were just about workouts, we’d see more pitchers lasting this long. Hill’s baseball IQ must be off the charts.