Sometimes, role players get a chance and run away with it. Sometimes, they get a chance and fall flat on their face. Neither really happened to Sam Hilliard: he made hay when given the opportunity, but then the opportunity dried up, and so did his relevance.
How Acquired
Hilliard was acquired over a year ago, in the first trade of the 2022-2023 offseason. The move sent minor league right-hander Dylan Spain to Colorado in exchange for Hilliard’s services.
What were the expectations?
Hilliard’s acquisition could be seen in two ways; one was what he had done so far in the majors; the other was what the Braves hoped to get out of him.