Rockies' Hilliard puts Rafters on the board, keeps raking

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Rockies No. 9 prospect Sam Hilliard played a big role in the Salt River Rafters' 9-2 victory Friday with his 3-for-5 performance.
Hilliard collected two doubles, two RBIs and a stolen base in the game, raising his Fall League average to .333. In eight games, Hilliard has five RBIs and a pair of both triples and doubles.
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"I'm feeling good, you know, I feel like I'm on time pretty well and I feel like the leg kicks working for me right now," Hilliard said.
The 6-foot-5 center fielder is coming off of a season in Double-A Hartford where he batted .262 with 40 RBIs and nine home runs. In 2016-17, Hilliard torched the Minors for 175 RBIs and 38 home runs in Class A and Class A Advanced.
"I wasn't too happy with my power numbers this year," Hilliard said. "I know that's part of my game and I'm looking to bounce back this next year and put up more RBIs."
Part of Hilliard's offense is his ability to swipe bags. He stole his first base of this Fall League season on Friday. Over his four-year professional career, Hilliard has stolen 102 bases.
"Early in my career guys would look at me and say, 'You know he can't run,' so I would take them by surprise," said Hilliard. "But now I feel like guys have an idea I can run a little bit and stolen bases are a huge part of my game."
The 24-year-old possesses the right tools to play in the Majors and is hoping to use the Fall League to fine-tune them.
"I think the more consistent I can be the more success I'm going to have and overall just be a professional hitter and go about it the same way every day," he said.
Fellow Rafter and Miami Marlin shortstop Bryson Brigman had three hits and an RBI on Friday, and D-backs catcher Daulton Varsho finished the game 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.