Sam Hilliard DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Colorado Rockies outfielder Sam Hilliard has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A. Hilliard was designated for assignment shortly before Opening Day when the Rockies claimed outfielder Mickey Moniak off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. Last season, Hilliard spent 58 games with the Rockies. Across this stint, Hilliard held a .239/.305/.507 slash line with five doubles and 10 long balls. He generated a modest .215 xBA but flashed upside power as he generated an elite 14.8 percent barrel rate and a 52.3 percent hard-hit rate. He also placed in the 88th percentile in sprint speed and swiped five bags. In 65 games with Triple-A last season, Hilliard held a strong .288/.374/.542 slash line with 14 home runs and 13 stolen bases. He is worth monitoring in NL-only leagues as he should be in the mix to return to the majors later in the summer.

According to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, Colorado Rockies outfielder Sam Hilliard is expected to have a spot on the Opening Day roster but will have to compete for a starting role in one of the corner outfield spots. Currently, he is penciled in as the backup to Brenton Doyle in center field, but a strong spring could push him into the top role in one of the corners. He will compete for a job alongside Jordan Beck, Sam Bouchard, and Nolan Jones. Last summer, Hilliard posted a .239/.305/.507 line with five doubles and 10 home runs across 58 contests with the Rockies. He also swiped five bags. The 30-year-old flashed upside power as he generated an excellent 52.3 percent hard-hit rate and a 14.8 percent barrel rate, which were both well above the average marks. If Hilliard wins a starting job in the outfield, he could have streaming appeal during home stretches, given his power and playing in a favorable park.

The Colorado Rockies announced on Friday that they agreed to one-year deals with outfielder Sam Hilliard and left-hander Lucas Gilbreath to avoid salary arbitration. Hilliard, who received an even $1 million, earned a starting role in the outfield down the stretch in his return to the team in 2024 and ultimately finished with a .239/.305/.507 slash line, .812 OPS, 10 homers, 27 RBI, five stolen bases and 26 runs scored in just 58 games played. The 30-year-old has a lot of swing and miss to his game, though, and could be competing for a starting gig in spring training. Gilbreath signed for $785,000 battled through an injury-riddled 2024 season and was only able to pitch one inning in the big leagues. The 28-year-old southpaw gave up six earned runs in that one inning and will return (hopefully healthy) in 2025 to give the Rockies some left-handed relief depth.