Sam

Hilliard

Hilliard gets $700,000 in salary and a $300,000 signing bonus. The 31-year-old will look to rectify his career in Korea after struggling over the past few seasons, including a .196/.328/.412 slash in 2025 over 61 plate appearances with the Rockies.

The 31-year-old righty-mashing outfielder had another disappointing season in 2025, slashing a woeful .196/.328/.412 with two homers, three RBI and a 23/10 K/BB ratio in 61 plate appearances with the Rockies, He’ll try to find an opportunity where he can compete for a reserve outfielder spot on an Opening Day roster in 2026.

Hilliard went unclaimed after being designated for assignment by the Rockies on Tuesday. He’ll remain in the organization but he’ll need to be added to the 40-man roster if they determine him worthy of a promotion.

Hilliard loses his spot on Colorado’s 40-man roster with the club bringing up veteran catcher Austin Nola and outfield prospect Yanquiel Fernández ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Rockies.

It appears to be nothing more than a regular day of rest for the 24-year-old outfielder with tough opposing right-hander Spencer Strider toeing the slab for the Braves. Sam Hilliard will start in his place in left field and will bat leadoff for the Rockies on Saturday.

Goodman has started the last eight games and 13 of the team’s last 14 contests, so this is just a routine off-day. Braxton Fulford will catch and bat ninth, while Jordan Beck will slide to DH, and Sam Hilliard will enter the lineup in left field and bat second.

It’s a rare day off for Beck, who has played virtually every game since late April. The 24-year-old rookie has cooled off a bit at the plate in recent weeks, but he’s still shown that he can make an impact for fantasy purposes as a power/speed combo source with eight homers and seven steals across 49 games this season. It’ll be Sam Hilliard in left field and leading off on Monday night in Miami.

Hilliard did a surprisingly nice job for the Rockies last year, (.239/.305/.507 in 158 PA) so it was odd to see him bypassed in favor of Nick Martini this spring. He was hitting .288/.372/.538 in 180 PA for Albuquerque. The Rockies will use him as a right fielder and DH against righties.

Hilliard passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment last week following the Rockies decision to sign Mickey Moniak. The 31-year-old lefty-masher is merely organizational fodder at this stage of his career.

The Rockies are so excited about 34-year-old journeyman Nick Martini that they’re cutting Hilliard after he hit .239/.305/.507 for the club last season and after giving him a $1 million deal in November. He’ll probably clear waivers, and while he could opt for free agency, his best bet would be to stick around and wait for another change in the winds.