With 'different perspective,' Hilliard eyes fresh start in Atlanta

NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Considering all Sam Hilliard experienced over the past few years, it’s easy to understand why he welcomed a change of scenery when the Rockies traded him to the Braves in November.

“I think [a change of scenery] can be really good for guys at certain points in their career,” Hilliard said. “But the most important and exciting part about it was the organization that I was coming to. The Braves have proven over the last several years how capable they are, how good they are and how well they work with guys that come in from other organizations.”

Hilliard arrived on the big league scene near the end of the 2019 season and seemed to be heading toward stardom before struggling through the COVID-shortened season in '20. As he neared the end of an inconsistent '21 season, he lost his father to ALS, a disease Jim Hilliard was diagnosed with in '18. The outfielder then spent last year being reminded his Triple-A success didn’t guarantee him anything at the big league level.

“I had a lot more confidence when I was down there [in the Minors], you know, not putting pressure on myself, knowing no matter what happened, I'd be in there the next day," Hilliard said. "In the big leagues, I would put a lot of pressure on my [at-bats]. It was all self-inflicted.”

There isn’t an everyday outfielder role available for Hilliard in Atlanta. But the 6-foot-5, 236-pound outfielder certainly has the tools to strengthen the bench and eventually realize his potential as a big league regular.

Hilliard hit .184 with a .544 OPS over 200 plate appearances with Colorado last year, and he has a .717 OPS through 639 career plate appearances. So, why were the Braves willing to take a chance on the 29-year-old? Well, he did homer seven times in 77 at-bats during the 2019 season, and analytics further highlight his potential.

Per Baseball Savant, Hilliard ranked among the 97th percentile in max exit velocity, the 85th percentile in sprint speed and the 89th percentile in arm strength last season.

“He’s like a pitcher with stuff,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s got talent. He's a good defender. You look at that frame and the way the ball comes off the bat, it’s just a matter of putting it all together.”

Hilliard is competing for one of what could be two or three backup outfielder spots on Atlanta’s roster. His primary competitors are non-roster invitee Kevin Pillar, Eli White and Jordan Luplow, who still hasn’t played in a game because of the oblique strain he brought to camp.

While White and Luplow both have at least one more Minor League option remaining, Hilliard is out of options. This could certainly help Hilliard as the Braves have repeatedly benefited from president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos’ effort to stockpile depth.

Hilliard has gone 6-for-16 with three doubles and five strikeouts during the early part of the Grapefruit League season. He impressed the Braves when he doubled against Bryan Mata’s 98 mph fastball in Tuesday night’s loss to the Red Sox.

The early results have helped restore the confidence that has been regularly shaken whenever Hilliard has moved from Triple-A to the Majors. But they may also indicate that all he really needed was a new scene.

“There's definitely a different vibe here in the clubhouse with the players and the coaches,” Hilliard said. “I feel really good every day when I come into the clubhouse. It’s really nice getting a different perspective.”