Sean Bouchard

Bouchard enters Cactus League play as the favorite to start in right field for the Rockies to begin 2024. He hit 20 homers and stole 12 bases in just 69 games at Triple-A in 2022, which earned him his first big-league call-up. Last season was mostly wiped out by a ruptured left biceps, though he returned to the major-league club in September. Bouchard has fared well in his limited MLB action to date (.304/.429/.563), but it will be difficult to sustain success if he continues to strike out in roughly one-third of his plate appearances, as he did with the Rockies last season. Coors Field can cover a lot of flaws, and the 27-year-old Bouchard will at least be in the mix as a home streamer if he secures at-bats in spring training.

Bouchard made his MLB debut in June then was called up for good in late August. He played every day over the final two weeks of the season, slashing .390/.545/.683 over that span, most of which was achieved in Dodgers Stadium and in Oracle Park. Clearly, he was over his skis, but the strong finish should earn him a long look in the spring. He hits the ball in the air, which bodes well for Coors Field, but contact has always been an issue. Bouchard didn't attempt any steals with the Rockies, but he swiped 12 bags in 14 tries with Triple-A Colorado Springs last summer. There are openings in the Rockies outfield, but as a righthanded batter, Bouchard is at best vying for a short side of a platoon role, better suited for NL-only action.