Sam Hilliard (OF, COL) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 24% of leagues

ANALYSIS: 

Sam Hilliard’s power exploded in 2019, clubbing 42 home runs between the majors and Triple-A last season, this after just hitting nine dingers with a .126 OPS in 2018 at Double-A. The 6’5”, 238-pounder is surprisingly fleet of foot as well, swiping at least 23 bags in each of the last four seasons. This skillset would be exciting regardless of the player’s organization, but the fact that Hilliard will play half his games in Colorado makes him all the more enticing. Normally, Colorado players, especially young up-and-coming Colorado players, have an inflated draft cost due to the ballpark. But Hilliard is owned in just 24% of leagues, and can be had virtually for free at the end of drafts. Hilliard will most likely start the year as the strong side of a platoon with Matt Kemp, but Hilliard did have a 1.117 OPS against lefties last year, granted it was only 20 PA. Kemp on the other hand was last seen flailing away with a 19:1 K:BB ratio and .493 OPS in Cincinnati in 2019. Hilliard has plenty of raw tools and talent, and that could emerge in a big way during our shortened season. That makes him an add in any league with 12 or more teams.