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DENVER -- Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt believes outfielder Sean Bouchard has a positive future after two seasons of setbacks.

Bouchard debuted in June 2022, and an eye-opening finish brought his OPS to .954. He sustained a left distal biceps tear and was limited to 21 late-season games in 2023, but those were so encouraging (1.056 OPS with four home runs and seven RBIs in 43 plate appearances) that he entered ’24 with a chance at regular playing time in right field.

But the right-handed-hitting Bouchard sustained an oblique injury in Spring Training -- an injury that led to him being sent to Triple-A Albuquerque and first baseman Michael Toglia making the Opening Day roster. Bouchard never gained traction in the Majors this year (.187 with one homer in 31 games), although he was productive with Albuquerque (1.060 OPS, 11 homers among 29 extra-base hits in 46 games).

To complete a rough year, he recently underwent hand surgery to repair a fractured hamate. The injury is a common one and should be healed in time for Bouchard, 28, to prepare for 2025.

A youthful lineup that’s capable of power but has led the National League in strikeouts the past two seasons can use a player who put up a .454 on-base percentage in his 2022 snippet and .372 in the ’23 sample.

“I always believe in Sean,” Schmidt said. “How he fits going forward, time will tell. But throughout his Minor League career and appearances at the Major League level, he’s shown to have a bat. He’s got to get better defensively, but there is a pretty good hitter in there.”

Unless the Rockies swing a trade or otherwise find an experienced corner outfielder with proven offensive chops, or unless Kris Bryant can finally keep his back healthy and play right field when not serving at DH, multiple young players will seek playing time.

Nolan Jones, coming off a down performance after a strong rookie year in 2023; Jordan Beck, a touted prospect whose numbers suffered in ’24 when he fractured his left hand; and prospects Zac Veen (Rockies' No. 3, No. 83 overall), Yanquiel Fernandez (Rockies' No. 4) and Benny Montgomery (Rockies' No. 16, who missed much of ’24 with a left shoulder injury) will compete in Spring Training.

And don’t forget a pair of players who bring a speed component: Greg Jones, who debuted in '24 but must trim the strikeouts to reach his potential, and Braiden Ward, who turned heads at High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford but will have to translate those tools to the higher levels.

However, the guy who Bouchard -- a ninth-round pick out of UCLA in 2017 -- would do well to emulate is Sam Hilliard, who had his moments but also his strikeouts with the Rockies from 2019-22 then saw little action with the Braves in ’23.

A Rockies waiver claim from the Orioles in Spring Training, Hilliard began 2024 at Albuquerque, but he earned a further look in the Majors by posting an .812 OPS and hitting 10 homers in 58 Major League games.