SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Bradley Zimmer spent the last calendar year hearing opinions from anyone with baseball knowledge, and he’s finally letting himself play free with Colorado.

The former 21st overall pick of the Cleveland Guardians hasn’t logged a major-league at-bat since Oct. 5, 2022, and the Rockies presented his latest chance to make a roster. It would be his fifth in the last two years, but also his best shot.

Through 18 spring training games, the outfielder is hitting .350 and making the Rockies think hard about their backup slot behind Brenton Doyle. Zimmer is doing it by thinking less.

“It’s a matter of believing in myself and letting my athleticism play out,” Zimmer said. “There were so many opinions and people in my ear for the last year. I want to just appreciate overall relaxation and comfortability.

“Over the years, you fight it, but when you start to play free, you play at your best.”

Comfort and a position battle don’t typically go together.

Zimmer is battling Sam Hilliard, who was claimed off waivers from Baltimore, for the roster spot. Both bring athleticism and an ability to fill in at any outfield spot, and Hilliard brings familiarity to the table after spending four seasons of his five-year career with Colorado. He has hit .172 in 13 games since joining the Rockies.

Division-rival Los Angeles housed Zimmer in the minors for much of last year, and it was his closest experience yet.

But camp isn’t the first time Zimmer has considered Colorado.

He has eyed the roster for years, and when a chance to join the young core came, he leaped at the opportunity. Still only 31 years old, he wanted to be a gear in the Rockies’ rebuilding train.

Since being drafted in 2014, Zimmer has been traded once, put on waivers twice, and been in four different organizations. In 2023, he didn’t log an at-bat in the majors, so coming to Colorado represented a chance to get back after a minor-league campaign.

“I’ve been in a lot of different dynamics in the last few years, and I really like it here,” Zimmer said. “I think through my experience, I can really help some of the guys coming up.”

Zimmer would back Doyle, but also Nolan Jones. The two had standout rookie years — Doyle was a Gold Glove winner in center field and Jones was the franchise’s first rookie to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases.

General manager Bill Schmidt saw the way the two play and wanted to ensure that production level could continue. Keeping them on the field and healthy is Zimmer’s potential job, even if the training staff will do most of the heavy lifting concerning health.

The diving plays add bruises, and Doyle worked through plenty as the year stretched into September. Zimmer is an above-average defender, and as recently as 2021 was responsible for a career-high 11 outs above average in the outfield.

“It’s a huge opportunity for me, I feel like I can help this team,” Zimmer said. “Whatever capacity that is.”

Zimmer’s ability at the plate could benefit another club if he doesn’t hang on with Colorado. He has been a .213 hitter in his career, but playing more freely has unlocked better results in Rockies purple, and they’re ones he’d like to continue at Coors Field. Last year showed he’s not too proud to do it at Isotopes Park for Triple-A Albuquerque.

Either way, he’s thankful for the opportunity to show off a new, looser Zimmer.

Rockies make another round of roster moves

Colorado made another wave of roster moves on Wednesday, and the combination of Jaden Hill and Drew Romo headlined the group. The pair of top-30 prospects, and right-handed pitcher Geoff Hartlieb, were sent to minor league camp to bring the Rockies’ active roster in major league camp to 39 players.

The group still includes nine non-roster players, and Colorado still carries a full 40-man roster.

Romo is third in line for the organization’s catching spot and is blocked at the major-league level by newly-added Jacob Stallings and holdover, and 2023 All-Star Elias Díaz.

Hill also raised eyebrows in spring training with his 99-mph-plus fastballs but is still in the process of becoming a reliever. The change began in the Arizona Fall League, and he will start the year in the minors where he will continue to develop in the role. In five appearances, he struck out eight and allowed five earned runs — four in his final appearance March 13.

Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 1

What happened: The Rockies saw three pitchers allow runs as Arizona hit past Colorado and contributed to Peter Lambert’s up-and-down start.

On the mound: Lambert went 4⅓ innings and allowed three earned runs on six hits. A home run, triple and Ketel Marte’s run-scoring contributed to the trouble. John Curtiss allowed an earned run in his 1⅔ innings and Evan Justice’s wild outing saw three walks lead to an earned run allowed.

At the plate: Kris Bryant struck out three times as part of Colorado’s 10 as a team. Brendan Rodgers, Ryan McMahon and Elias Díaz each had a hit as the entirety of the Rockies’ production.

What’s next: Colorado Rockies (RHP Ryan Feltner, 0-0) at Arizona Diamondbacks (LHP Drew Smyly, 3-1) at 2:10 p.m. on Thursday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.