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Has anyone had a better offseason than former Milwaukee Brewers first-round draft pick Keston Hiura?
Just look at what Hiura, who last was in the Brewers organization in the 2023 season, has been up to in the last few months:
Hiura was selected ninth overall by the Brewers in the 2017 draft and it wasn't long before the former top prospect was called up to the big-league roster. He made his MLB debut in May 2019 and went on to have a productive year at the plate, hitting .303 with 19 home runs and 49 RBI in 84 games, plus what became a career-high OPS of .938.
But his deficiencies in the field – he led all second basemen in errors in 2019 and 2020 – forced the Brewers to look elsewhere at second base, signing Kolten Wong for the 2021 season. Hiura started spending more time at first base and the demotions to the minors became more frequent.
And he couldn't sustain his production at the plate as his batting average continued to fall in ensuing seasons while his strikeouts were an ongoing issue. He led the league in strikeouts during the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
After three straight years of making the team's opening day roster from 2020 through 2022, Hiura would spend the entire 2023 season in Triple-A Nashville.
He and the Brewers went their separate ways after that season. Hiura has since been with three organizations (Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels and Colorado Rockies), though he has only played in 18 games at the big-league level. Most of his time has been in the minors the last two seasons.
But Hiura, still 29 years old, gets a fresh start with his hometown Dodgers. He's signing a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training, reports the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
Hiura's arrival to the Dodgers will come after his induction into the UC Irvine Hall of Fame this week.
Hiura starred at the collegiate level, where he was the 2017 Big West Field Player of the Year with the highest batting average. Other accolades include three-time first team All-Big West selection, Big West Freshman Player of the Year and multiple All-American selections.
Here are Keston Hiura's stats during his tenure with the Brewers:
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Keston Hiura signs with Dodgers, inducted into UC Irvine Hall of Fame
Continue reading...
Just look at what Hiura, who last was in the Brewers organization in the 2023 season, has been up to in the last few months:
- He returned to his California hometown to be inducted into the Valencia High School Baseball Hall of Fame.
- He was inducted into his college athletics hall of fame at the University of California Irvine. The ceremony is set for Feb. 13.
- He was married in the most gorgeous beachside wedding along the Pacific Coast.
- And now, he has signed a contract with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hiura was selected ninth overall by the Brewers in the 2017 draft and it wasn't long before the former top prospect was called up to the big-league roster. He made his MLB debut in May 2019 and went on to have a productive year at the plate, hitting .303 with 19 home runs and 49 RBI in 84 games, plus what became a career-high OPS of .938.
But his deficiencies in the field – he led all second basemen in errors in 2019 and 2020 – forced the Brewers to look elsewhere at second base, signing Kolten Wong for the 2021 season. Hiura started spending more time at first base and the demotions to the minors became more frequent.
And he couldn't sustain his production at the plate as his batting average continued to fall in ensuing seasons while his strikeouts were an ongoing issue. He led the league in strikeouts during the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
After three straight years of making the team's opening day roster from 2020 through 2022, Hiura would spend the entire 2023 season in Triple-A Nashville.
He and the Brewers went their separate ways after that season. Hiura has since been with three organizations (Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels and Colorado Rockies), though he has only played in 18 games at the big-league level. Most of his time has been in the minors the last two seasons.
But Hiura, still 29 years old, gets a fresh start with his hometown Dodgers. He's signing a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training, reports the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
Hiura's arrival to the Dodgers will come after his induction into the UC Irvine Hall of Fame this week.
Hiura starred at the collegiate level, where he was the 2017 Big West Field Player of the Year with the highest batting average. Other accolades include three-time first team All-Big West selection, Big West Freshman Player of the Year and multiple All-American selections.
Keston Hiura stats (Brewers)
Here are Keston Hiura's stats during his tenure with the Brewers:
- Games: 284
- Plate appearances: 1,057
- Runs: 131
- Hits: 223
- HRs: 50
- RBI: 132
- BA: .238
- OBP: .318
- SLG: .453
- OPS: .771
- WAR: 1.5
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Keston Hiura stats (career)
- Games: 302
- PA: 1,105
- Runs: 135
- Hits: 231
- HRs: 50
- RBI: 134
- BA: .235
- OBP: .314
- SLG: .442
- OPS: .755
- WAR: 0.9
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Keston Hiura signs with Dodgers, inducted into UC Irvine Hall of Fame
Continue reading...
