After losing 2023 to a biceps injury, Bouchard was leapt over by others in 2024
Welcome to the 2024 edition of Ranking the Rockies, where we take a look back at every player to log playing time for the Rockies in 2024. The purpose of this list is to provide a snapshot of the player in context. The “Ranking” is an organizing principle that’s drawn from Baseball Reference’s WAR (rWAR). It’s not something the staff debated. We’ll begin with the player with the lowest rWAR and end up with the player with the highest.
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No. 42, Sean Bouchard, -0.6 rWAR
Sean Bouchard was drafted in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut on June 19, 2022 but has only played 79 total games in the Major Leagues. During his rookie season, he played only 27 games, likely due to it being his rookie season and Bud Black’s preference for playing veterans over rookies.
However, Bouchard came out swinging in spring training 2023, slashing .286/.375/.333 before rupturing his biceps on March 8. He underwent surgery and made his way back up in September, playing 21 games and slashing .316/.372/.684 with four home runs. He then played winter ball with the Naranjeros de Hermosillo in hopes of making the 2024 Opening Day roster.
However, Bouchard posted a meager .205/.308/.341 in 21 games during spring training. That — in addition to the Rockies bringing in veterans such as Bradley Zimmer, Jake Cave and Sam Hilliard to compete for a fourth outfielder spot — resulted in Bouchard starting the 2024 season in Triple-A with the Albuquerque Isotopes.
He rode the I-25 roller coaster for most of the season, making appearances in mid-April and late-May, but an ankle sprain sent him to the IL on June 6. He returned to the Rockies again on July 13, but then was optioned again 10 days later. Bouchard was placed on the IL in late-August and finished his season there. He hit well in Triple-A — slashing .324/.418/.642 with 29 extra-base hits in 46 games — but it wasn’t enough with his limited playing time.
Unfortunately for Bouchard, the Rockies outfield is incredibly crowded. Brenton Doyle has solidified himself as a potential-franchise center fielder; Nolan Jones, if he bounces back, could cement himself in left field; and right field could be occupied by Jordan Beck now that Charlie Blackmon has retired and Kris Bryant will likely slide into his DH role if he can stay healthy. Sam Hilliard or Jake Cave will likely be the fourth outfielder, and Hunter Goodman could fill in there from time to time, so that doesn’t leave a lot of room for Bouchard.
On the farm, Greg Jones made his MLB debut and is on the 40-man roster. Zac Veen also might be up for a promotion this season if he’s able to stay healthy. So where does that leave Bouchard? He’s 28-years-old and could be a potential “veteran” presence, but the likelihood is that we’ve seen the last of Sean Bouchard in a Rockies uniform.