MLB rumors: 5 prospects who can help Rockies in 2019

Sam Hilliard

Sam Hilliard is raking the ball right now. He is doing it for the Albuquerque Isotopes, so take the PCL with a small grain of salt, but it’s still impressive how much power he is showing. He’s taken the slow approach on his way to the Major Leagues, but at 25 years old he looks like he’s finally ready to make his debut.

Hilliard has 17 homes runs over 53 games this season. In 214 at bats, he has 120 total bases. He’s been smashing the ball this season, and he could really do damage if he’s allowed to play in Coors Field.

He already has more RBI this season than he did all of last season. Hilliard does strike out a ton, though. He needs to work on his patience at the plate. He has 76 strikeouts against 20 walks. Obviously, if he’s this old, this talented and not in the Major Leagues, then he has some things to work on, but it’s pretty common to have a guy like this strike out too much. It’s baseball in 2019. Almost everyone strikes out too much.

But, Hilliard is on pace to hit more than 40 home runs this season. That’s something every team can use at any point. Add that sweet home field advantage where he could mash, and Hilliard may be in the Majors before we know it. It’s actually surprising the Rockies didn’t call him up to replace Charlie Blackmon when he went on the injured list. Either way, at some point Hilliard is going to be smashing home runs on the big league team. If he continues at this pace, it’s only a matter of time.