In the best of all possible baseball worlds, the 2022 Rockies will feature a player who thrives in the vast expanse of center field, hits for power and is a threat on the bases.

The Rockies might already have that player in Sam Hilliard. Emphasis on might.

The tools are certainly there: 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, sprint speed that ranks in the top 7% of major leaguers, a bat that has produced an exit velocity of 114.1 mph, and graceful athleticism that enables him to patrol center at Coors Field.

What's missing is consistent production. What's standing in the way are far too many strikeouts. Hilliard's 2021 .294 on-base percentage was far too low for an everyday player, and his strikeout rate of 36.6% was alarming.

This past season was a trying one for Hilliard, not just because of his struggles at the plate. His father, Jim, died on Sept. 12 after a three-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

"I want to finish (the season) strong," Hilliard said after his dad died. "He would have wanted it that way."

Manager Bud Black was impressed with how the outfielder dealt with the loss.

"Sam has handled it as well as anybody could handle it," Black said. "There have been some emotional moments with Sam. He's kept his chin up, his chest out, he's represented his family, he's represented the ALS cause."

Despite the weight of his father's illness and passing, Hilliard found a way to stay committed to baseball.

He's gone to great lengths to fix the flaws in this swing. He changed his mechanics during the season, something that's never easy to do. And, although Hilliard will turn 28 in February, he's agreed to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic, most likely from November through mid-January.

"This is a throwback winter ball-type commitment from Sam to get more at-bats and get more playing time," Black said. "He's got the raw ability, we all see that. The five tools are all there. Now, we've just got to make more consistent contact, get the ball in play and let his strength help his game."

Hilliard is willing to do what it takes to fulfill his promise.

"I want to come into (spring training) with some at-bats under my belt against good pitching and be ready to go," he said. "I think it'll help me be ready from the get-go."

Hilliard certainly doesn't want a replay of spring 2021. He struggled mightily in the early part of the season, hitting .108 with a .478 OPS through his first 20 games. That prompted a trip to Triple-A Albuquerque on May 4 for a 53-game tune-up.

"He understands what he needs to do and he's trying to make that adjustment against 95 mph fastballs, big-league changeups, big-league breaking balls," Black said.

There were signs toward the end of the season that Hilliard was finding a comfort level with his new swing. He hit .243 with a .849 OPS in August and .243 with a .812 OPS in September and October.

He hit two home runs in Colorado's final three games at Arizona, but he also whiffed seven times in those games, and struck out at a 32.5% clip in September and October.

In other words, Hilliard's modified swing remains a work in progress.

Before the adjustment, his swing was too long and too loopy. That played OK in the minors but made him vulnerable against big-league pitchers who go after swing flaws like sharks go after blood in the water. According to Baseball Savant, Hilliard hit .250 against fastballs, but just .163 vs. breaking balls and .154 vs. all offspeed pitches.

In simplified terms, Hilliard's hands are now much lower and his foot direction toward the ball has changed slightly and is more direct.

"The basic idea was just trying to simplify everything by getting my hands a little closer to my body and working kind of inside the baseball more," he said. "When I stay there, it gives me the best chance to recognize off-speed pitches and not chase out of the zone so much."

Hilliard said adjusting his swing in the midst of a season was not as difficult as he anticipated it would be.

"It felt natural and athletic and that gave me the ability to just go with it," he said.

And while Hilliard admits that the past season "was quite a grind," he said he's in a better place.

"I feel extremely confident," he said. "Every time I come to the plate I feel like I have a chance to do some damage. It's definitely a good feeling and it's something that I feel like I can trust. I know that all I have to do is touch the ball, put it on the barrel and it's going to go."

Progress ReportRockies outfielder Sam Hilliard had a trying 2021 season, including a 53-game stint at Triple-A Albuquerque beginning in early May. But there were some signs of progress:

Month Games PA Avg. HRs OPS SO%
March/April 19 39 .108 2 .478 48.7
July 14 38 .212 2 .740 28.9
Aug. 22 78 .243 5 .849 38.5
Sept./Oct. 25 83 .243 5 .812 32.5

Source: Baseball Reference