Colorado Rockies: Projecting the Opening Day lineup 2.0

Colorado Rockies outfielder Sam Hilliard — DENVER, COLORADO – AUGUST 05: Sam Hilliard #22 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning at Coors Field on August 05, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

7) Colorado Rockies center fielder Randal Grichuk or Sam Hilliard

For the second question that we had earlier (“How many platoons will they have?”), there could be a few. The newest Colorado Rockies player, Randal Grichuk, is, essentially, a right-handed version of Sam Hilliard.

Both of them hit for a lot of power but swing and miss a lot so they have low batting averages and on-base percentages. So, in theory, the two could platoon in center field. In theory.

Grichuk hits left-handed pitching better, as you would think but Hilliard actually hits left-handed pitching better as well. Here are their splits in 2021:

Sam Hilliard 2021 Platoon Splits
Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	tOPS+
vs RHP	71	181	163	28	33	6	10	26	17	66	.203	.282	.448	.730	93
vs LHP	37	57	51	4	13	1	4	8	6	21	.255	.333	.510	.843	123

Randal Grichuk 2021 Platoon Splits
Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	tOPS+
vs RHP	132	397	373	41	89	16	16	63	19	89	.239	.277	.416	.693	97
vs LHP	75	148	138	18	34	9	6	18	8	25	.246	.291	.442	.733	108

On Opening Day, the Rockies will be facing right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler of the Los Angeles Dodgers. One of them will likely still be patrolling center field and considering that he’s a veteran and making more money, it seems like it will be Grichuk. However, both will see a lot of playing time whether it’s in center, right, or as a DH.

7) Colorado Rockies center fielder Randal Grichuk or Sam Hilliard

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