The Colorado Rockies may have found their next slugger in Sam Hilliard, and he is ready to burst onto the scene at Coors Field.
When general managers are looking for diamonds in the rough, they usually find them in the double-digit rounds. The Colorado Rockies may have found one of their own in the fifteenth round of the 2015 MLB draft when they selected Sam Hilliard.
The face of the Rockies franchise is Nolan Arrenado and he had one message for GM Jeff Bridich, build around me, or trade me. Arrenado was looking for some help via free agency or in the trade market, though didn’t get any with the quiet offseason the Rockies had.
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They may have a savior of sorts within their own organization though, in rookie outfielder Sam Hilliard. Hilliard showed his power potential at two different stops on his climb through the Rockies minor league system, one being last year at AAA Albuquerque.
The Pacific Coast League is known as a hitters league and Hilliard answered the call, hitting 35 home runs. He has the speed to go along with the pop as well, hitting 7 triples and stealing 22 bases in his stay at AAA.
Hilliard was up for a month late in the season and of his 21 hits, 13 were of the extra-base variety, giving him an OPS of 1.006 during his time in the big leagues.
A right fielder by trade, Hilliard has logged time at all three positions at both the minor and major league levels. Ian Desmond has already outstayed his welcome in the Mile High City, though is owed too much money to have his contract moved. Desmond will be a free agent after the 2021 season until then Hilliard can find playing time in place of light hitting Raimel Tapia.
The Rockies need to keep Arrenado happy and surrounding him with players equipped to help the team win is a must. Sam Hilliard is ready to step into this role.