Sam Hilliard DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Sam Hilliard showed off his power on Wednesday, going 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in the win over the hosting Cincinnati Reds. After smashing a two-run homer to right field to put the Rockies up 2-0 in the third inning, Hilliard belted his second homer of the game to left field to push Colorado's lead to 4-1 in the fifth inning. The 30-year-old veteran outfielder has now gone 4-for-15 with two stolen bases over 11 appearances this year, and he remains far off the fantasy radar without a clear role in the outfield. More performances like Wednesday's could change that, though.