BA GRADE
50
Risk: High
Born: Feb. 21, 1994. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 225. Drafted: Wichita State, 2015 (15th round). Signed by: Brett Baldwin.
Hilliard has established himself as one of the top performers in the Rockies system since the day they drafted him. The physical 6-foot-5, 225-pound lefthanded hitter led the South Atlantic League in RBIs in 2016 and at high Class A Lancaster in 2017 he ranked among the top 10 in the California League in home runs (21), batting average (.300), RBIs (92) and stolen bases (37).
Hilliard shows flashes of all five tools but is still in search of consistency. He has the size, natural raw power, above-average speed and plus arm strength that scouts embrace. He squares up anything out over the plate and pulls the ball in the air with authority, with most of his home runs lined shots that carry over the right-field fence. However, his swing gets long at times and has resulted in a nearly 30 percent career strikeout rate. He struggles against lefties in particular and isn’t especially adept at using the whole field. Hilliard is an efficient basestealer with his speed and plays an above-average right field, and can handle center field in a pinch.
Hilliard’s tools and performance have scouts intrigued, but he’ll have to make offensive adjustments to reach his everyday ceiling.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2015 |
Grand Junction (PIO) |
R |
.306 |
60 |
222 |
45 |
68 |
2016 |
Asheville (SAL) |
LoA |
.267 |
127 |
461 |
71 |
123 |
2017 |
Lancaster (CAL) |
HiA |
.300 |
133 |
536 |
95 |
161 |
Minor League Totals |
.289 |
320 |
1219 |
211 |
352 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
2015 |
Grand Junction (PIO) |
13 |
8 |
7 |
42 |
36 |
2016 |
Asheville (SAL) |
23 |
5 |
17 |
83 |
56 |
2017 |
Lancaster (CAL) |
23 |
7 |
21 |
92 |
50 |
Minor League Totals |
59 |
20 |
45 |
217 |
142 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
2015 |
Grand Junction (PIO) |
55 |
12 |
4 |
.397 |
.532 |
2016 |
Asheville (SAL) |
150 |
30 |
12 |
.348 |
.449 |
2017 |
Lancaster (CAL) |
154 |
37 |
17 |
.360 |
.487 |
Minor League Totals |
359 |
79 |
33 |
.362 |
.481 |
|