The Rockies introduced they’ve chosen outfielder Sam Hilliard onto the MLB roster. Colorado additionally reinstated second baseman Brendan Rodgers from the 10-day injured listing. The Rox positioned Charlie Blackmon and Adael Amador on the 10-day IL in corresponding strikes. Amador has proper indirect tightness — supervisor Bud Black had termed it a gentle pressure final night time — whereas Blackmon suffered a strained proper hamstring. Blackmon’s placement is retroactive to June 19.
Hilliard joins the large league membership for the primary time this 12 months. He’s in line for his second main league stint with the Rockies. Colorado initially drafted him again in 2015. Hilliard turned in a .212/.294/.424 line in elements of 4 seasons. The Rox traded him to the Braves inside days of the 2022-23 offseason getting underway. Hilliard performed in 40 video games for Atlanta a 12 months in the past, operating a .236/.295/.431 slash in 78 journeys to the plate.
Final winter, the Wichita State product bounced from Atlanta to the Orioles and again to Colorado through waivers. The Rox designated him for task in Spring Coaching and efficiently handed him by way of the waiver wire. Hilliard reported to Triple-A Albuquerque and has had a wonderful season. He owns a .288/.374/.542 mark with 14 homers and 13 stolen bases over 65 contests. Hilliard has drawn walks at a powerful 12.5% clip whereas placing out round 1 / 4 of the time.
Whiffs have been the most important drawback for Hilliard on the MLB stage. He has important uncooked energy in a 6’4″ body however hasn’t made sufficient contact to faucet into it on a constant foundation. The left-handed hitter has punched out in 33.8% of his 717 MLB plate appearances. Regardless of a good 9.8% stroll charge and 32 house runs, the strikeouts have led to a subpar .215/.294/.424 profession batting line.
Blackmon’s damage will give Hilliard one other alternative to place issues collectively offensively. Colorado’s veteran DH/proper fielder has taken his customary spot atop the batting order. He’s hitting .266/.337/.410 throughout 246 plate appearances. Blackmon returned for his 14th season in Denver on a $13MM extension final fall. He would unlock as much as $2MM in incentives by tallying 500 plate appearances ($500K apiece at 425, 450, 475 and 500 PAs).
Colorado had an open spot on their 40-man roster for Hilliard after inserting reliever Gavin Hollowell on waivers earlier this week. They’ll have to create a 40-man spot on Sunday after they reinstate Kyle Freeland from the 60-day injured listing. Hilliard is out of choices, so the Rox can’t ship him again to Albuquerque with out once more exposing him to waivers.
