Sam Hilliard Explained

Sam Hilliard
Team:Colorado Rockies
Number:16
Position:Outfielder
Birth Date:21 February 1994
Birth Place:Mansfield, Texas, U.S.
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:August 27
Debutyear:2019
Debutteam:Colorado Rockies
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:August 10, 2024
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.218
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:36
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:90
Teams:

Samuel Beauman Hilliard (born February 21, 1994) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves.

Amateur career

Hilliard attended Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Texas, where he played baseball and basketball. He started his college baseball career at Navarro College before transferring to Crowder College. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 31st round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft out of Crowder, but did not sign and attended Wichita State University.[1] Hilliard was both an outfielder and pitcher in college.[2] After one year at Wichita State, he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 15th round of the 2015 MLB draft and signed.[3]

Professional career

Colorado Rockies

Hilliard made his professional debut with the Grand Junction Rockies and spent 2016 with the Asheville Tourists, 2017 with the Lancaster JetHawks and 2018 with the Hartford Yard Goats.[4] After the 2018 season, he played in the Arizona Fall League.[5] The Rockies added him to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.[6] He began 2019 with the Albuquerque Isotopes.[7]

On August 27, 2019, the Rockies promoted Hilliard to the major leagues.[8] He made his debut that night versus Boston Red Sox and recorded his first major league hit, a two-run home run off Josh Smith.[9]

In the pandemic shortened 2020 season, Hilliard hit .210/.272/.438 with an unsightly 36.8% strikeout percentage before being optioned down to the Rockies' alternate site after the club acquired Kevin Pillar.[10]

Atlanta Braves

On November 6, 2022, Hilliard was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Dylan Spain.[11] [12] On July 19, 2023, he was placed on the injured list with a right heel contusion.[13] While on rehab assignment with the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers,[14] he re–injured his right heel[15] and was transferred to the 60–day injured list on September 1.[16]

Colorado Rockies (second stint)

On November 1, 2023, Hilliard was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.[17] [18] The Rockies reacquired him on a waiver claim on February 28, 2024.[19] However, on March 21, Hilliard was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Greg Jones.[20] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes on March 23.[21] In 65 games for Albuquerque, he batted .288/.374/.542 with 14 home runs, 44 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. On June 21, the Rockies selected Hilliard's contract, adding him to their active roster.[22]

Personal life

Sam Hilliard is the youngest of three sons.[23] Hillard's mother, Tamara Hext,[24] was Miss Texas in 1984 and 4th runner-up in the Miss America pageant that same year. His father, Jim Hilliard, played for the Texas Longhorns football team and was an orthopedic surgeon for 35 years.[25] In March 2018, Jim Hilliard was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.[26]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Toolshed: Hilliard continues Rockies road . December 14, 2018 . MiLB.com.
  2. Web site: Bob Lutz: Shockers' two-way threat Sam Hilliard didn't give up on baseball . December 14, 2018 . kansas.
  3. Web site: Sam Hilliard making waves in Rockies' system . December 14, 2018 . MLB.com.
  4. Web site: Amore . Dom . Dom Amore: Yard Goats' Sam Hilliard Stoically Carries A Burden As He Pursues Big Leagues . December 14, 2018 . courant.com.
  5. Web site: Rockies Hilliard rakes in Fall League victory . December 14, 2018 . MLB.com.
  6. Web site: Daniel Kramer . November 20, 2018 . Rockies add 4 players to 40-man roster . December 14, 2018 . MLB.com.
  7. Web site: Brock Sisney . April 12, 2019 . Hilliard swinging hot bat for Triple-A Albuquerque . August 27, 2019 . The Neosho Daily News.
  8. Web site: Kyle Newman . August 27, 2019 . Rockies call up right-hander Rico Garcia to make major league debut; Sam Hilliard also brought up from Triple-A . August 27, 2019 . The Denver Post.
  9. Web site: Kyle Newman . August 27, 2019 . Red Sox rock Rico Garcia, Rockies with 10-6 win in series opener at Coors Field . August 28, 2019 . The Denver Post.
  10. Web site: Sam Hilliard remains a mystery for the Rockies. October 18, 2020.
  11. News: Bowman . Mark . Braves acquire OF Hilliard in trade with Rockies . November 8, 2022 . MLB.com . November 6, 2022.
  12. News: Toscano . Justin . Braves acquire outfielder Sam Hilliard for their first trade of the offseason . November 8, 2022 . Atlanta Journal Constitution . November 6, 2022.
  13. Web site: Braves' Sam Hilliard: Goes on IL with heel bruise. August 31, 2023. cbssports.com. en.
  14. Web site: Braves' Sam Hilliard: Begins rehab assignment. August 31, 2023. cbssports.com. en.
  15. Web site: Braves' Sam Hilliard: Re-injures right heel. August 31, 2023. cbssports.com. en.
  16. Web site: Braves' Sam Hilliard: Shifted to 60-day IL. September 1, 2023. cbssports.com. en.
  17. Web site: Braves lose Sam Hilliard on waiver claim, outright Ben Heller and Andrew Velazquez. November 1, 2023. batterypower.com. en.
  18. Web site: Orioles claim outfielder Sam Hilliard off waivers from Braves; Krehbiel designated for assignment. November 1, 2023. baltimorebaseball.com. en.
  19. Web site: Rockies Claim Sam Hilliard Off Waivers From Orioles. February 28, 2024. MLB Trade Rumors.
  20. Web site: Rockies swing deal for 'dynamic' prospect Jones. March 21, 2024. mlb.com. en.
  21. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/rockies-outright-sam-hilliard.html
  22. Web site: Rockies Select Sam Hilliard. June 21, 2024. mlbtraderumors.com. en.
  23. News: July 22, 2020 . Rockies OF Sam Hilliard's father, diagnosed with ALS, attends Rangers game . ESPN.com . Associated Press . July 22, 2020.
  24. News: Amore . Dom . July 9, 2018 . Yard Goats' Sam Hilliard stoically carries a burden as he pursues big leagues . Chicago Tribune . July 22, 2020.
  25. News: Newman . Kyle . August 9, 2019 . As Rockies' prospect Sam Hilliard chases 30/30 – and a potential call-up – he carries his dad's battle with him . Denver Post . July 22, 2020.
  26. News: Grammer . Geoff . June 15, 2019 . Grammer: An Isotopes family grows closer as father fights ALS . Albuquerque Journal . July 22, 2020.