SAM HILLIARD NEWS

Passes through waivers The Rockies outrighted Hilliard to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

Impact Hilliard appeared to be in good position to make the Rockies' Opening Day roster but was ultimately designated for assignment last week, when Colorado signed Mickey Moniak to a one-year deal to round out its depth in the outfield. Though he turned in a 107 wRC+ over 158 plate appearances in the majors with Colorado in 2024, Hilliard's lack of minor-league options likely worked against him in landing a spot on another team's 40-man roster. After clearing waivers, Hilliard will remain in the Colorado organization and will head to Triple-A while he waits for another opportunity in the big leagues.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment The Rockies designated Hilliard for assignment Thursday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Impact The move frees a spot on the 40-man roster for Mickey Moniak, who was officially signed Thursday. Hilliard had an .812 OPS in 58 games with Colorado last season, but he posted a .489 OPS and 48.2 percent strikeout rate this spring and it cost him a job. He could draw interest on waivers from a team in need of outfield help.

MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE

Rockies give outfielder Mickey Moniak $1.25M, 1-year deal after his release from Angels

The Colorado Rockies have added outfield depth by agreeing to a $1.25 million, one-year deal with Mickey Moniak

MARCH 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Significant struggles in spring Hilliard has gone 2-for-21 with 11 strikeouts in Cactus League action.

Impact Hilliard was expected to make the Opening Day roster as the primary backup center fielder with the chance to also start at a corner position. His defense could still earn him a roster spot, but Sean Bouchard's strong start to spring training is hurting Hilliard's outlook, per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Expect Rockies to be bolder on the basepaths in 2025 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Take a cursory glance at the Rockies’ roster, and you will see a team that has plenty of speed. Brenton Doyle, Nolan Jo...

FEBRUARY 27 • MLB.COM

Likely for Opening Day roster Hilliard is likely to compete for a starting corner outfield spot during spring training, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Impact Hilliard is very likely to have a roster spot as the primary backup to Brenton Doyle in center field. He'll also compete for a corner outfield spot -- presumably right field -- with the likes of Jordan Beck and Sean Bouchard. Beck could be in the best position to earn the job out of spring training, though both he and Hilliard ended the 2024 campaign in the majors.

FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids arbitration with Colorado Hilliard agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Rockies on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 30-year-old finished the 2024 campaign as a regular in Colorado's outfield, so it's not a major surprise he was tendered a contract for 2025. Hilliard played in 58 big-league games and had 10 home runs with a .239/.305/.507 slash line, though he also struck out at a 35.4 percent clip.

NOVEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Provides lone run in loss Hilliard went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Dodgers.

Impact Hilliard opened the scoring with a second-inning homer, but that was the lone run the Rockies could muster in the season finale. This was Hilliard's 10th homer of the campaign, five of which he hit over his last 15 games of the year. He added a .239/.305/.507 slash line with 27 RBI, 26 runs scored and five stolen bases over 158 plate appearances.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Erick Fedde fans 10 as Cardinals beat Rockies 5-2 for 4th straight win

Iván Herrera had two hits and two runs scored, Masyn Winn tripled and doubled and Erick Fedde struck out 10 as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Colorado Rockies 5-2 on Wednesday ni...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gaining foothold in lineup Hilliard will start in right field and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact Hilliard will stick in the lineup for the sixth game in a row, this time occupying right field after his previous five starts came in either center or left field. The 30-year-old has earned the uptick in playing time by going 5-for-18 with a home run, a double, two walks, a stolen base, three RBI and three runs over the previous five contests.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Belts homer Friday Hilliard went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Impact Hilliard has produced when in the lineup in September, going 8-for-26 (.308) with four homers and 10 RBI over his last 10 contests. He's picking up extra playing time with Brenton Doyle slowed by knee and finger issues this month. In a part-time role, Hilliard has nine homers, 26 RBI, 24 runs scored and four stolen bases while slashing .261/.320/.548 over 131 plate appearances this season.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Carroll homers twice and Rodriguez strikes out 11 in Diamondbacks' 9-4 victory over the Rockies

Corbin Carroll hit two home runs for his third multi-homer game of the year, Eduardo Rodriguez struck out a season-high 11 and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Colorado Rockies 9-...

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sam Hilliard's tying pinch homer for the Rockies came with memories of his late father

As Colorado Rockies pinch hitter Sam Hilliard rounded the bases after hitting a tying two-run home run with two outs in the ninth inning on Saturday night against the Cubs, his tho...

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Comes up clutch Saturday Hilliard hit a two-run home run in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Rockies.

Impact Hilliard delivered a game-tying, two-out blast in the ninth inning, and the Rockies went on to win in the 10th. Over his last nine games, Hilliard has four homers and eight RBI. The outfielder is at a .248/.302/.533 slash line with eight long balls, 23 RBI, 22 runs scored and four stolen bases over 119 plate appearances this season. He continues to fill a depth role for the Rockies, rotating in as a reserve outfielder versus right-handed pitchers.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hilliard ties it with pinch-hit HR in 9th and Doyle's single in 10th lifts Rockies over Cubs 6-5

Pinch-hitter Sam Hilliard tied the score with a two-run homer in the ninth inning and Brenton Doyle delivered a game-winning single in the 10th as the Colorado Rockies rallied to b...

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sam Hilliard, Brenton Doyle lift Rockies to wild win over Cubs Brenton Doyle won the game with a walk-off single to left off Drew Smiley, scoring ghost runner Aaron Schunk. Shunk had advanced to third on...

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • DENVERPOST.COM

Hilliard's heroic two-run blast sets up walk-off win in extras DENVER -- The Rockies continued their late-season surge at home with a dramatic 6-5 walk-off victory in 10 innings over the Cubs on Saturday...

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • MLB.COM

Homers in back-to-back games Hilliard went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run Sunday against the Brewers.

Impact Hilliard remains a part-time player in the Colorado outfield, but he has made starts in all three positions. When given a chance, he's been impactful with the bat, slugging three homers with six RBI and five runs scored across his last 19 at-bats.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Kyle Freeland dominates, Sam Hilliard homers in Rockies' 4-1 win over Brewers Kyle Freeland set the tone, Sam Hilliard provided the juice, and the bullpen closed the deal Sunday ...

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • KANSASCITY.COM

Kyle Freeland dominates, Sam Hilliard homers in Rockies' 4-1 win over Brewers Kyle Freeland set the tone, Sam Hilliard provided the juice, and the bullpen closed the deal Sunday ...

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • SUNHERALD.COM

Adames, Sánchez hit back-to-back homers in 1st inning as Brewers defeat Rockies 5-2

Willy Adames and Gary Sánchez hit back-to-back homers in the first inning

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Homers in loss Hilliard went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 9-8 loss to the Marlins on Tuesday.

Impact Hilliard has started consecutive games in center field while Brenton Doyle (leg) is dealing with an injury. Playing time has been inconsistent for Hilliard in August, though he's batting a respectable .282 (11-for-39) with five extra-base hits and eight RBI this month. The outfielder is at a .247/.298/.471 slash line with five homers, 16 RBI, 17 runs scored and four stolen bases over 97 plate appearances this season.

AUGUST 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Stallings' RBI single lifts Rockies over Padres 3-2

Jacob Stallings drove in the tiebreaking run with a single in the sixth inning, and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 3-2

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

On bench Tuesday Hilliard is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact With southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez on the mound for Arizona, Hilliard will take a seat on the bench. In his place, Jordan Beck will play left field and bat eighth.

AUGUST 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE