With the season a little more than one month underway, the Milwaukee Brewers have optioned Keston Hiura to the minor leagues. Unfortunately, Hiura left the organization no other choice given his struggles not only offensively but defensively as well.
OF Lorenzo Cain and OF Christian Yelich reinstated from the 10-day injured list.
INF Keston Hiura and OF Tyrone Taylor optioned to the Alternate Training Site. pic.twitter.com/DoIeN2ouuh
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 3, 2021
Hiura’s first month slump has resulted in a .152 batting average, one home run, and 32 strikeouts. According to baseball savant, he is striking out in 36% of his at bats, and is whiffing on fastballs 46% of the time and breaking balls 51%. It is well documented that he is a high swing and miss player, but his inability to make contact this year is absolutely mind blowing.
As a first basemen he has committed three errors this season with multiple other miscues. First base was a position he starting get a look at during spring training with the hopes to minimize the amount of throws he has to make per game.
As a highly coveted first round draft pick with the expectations of being a good MLB hitter, Hiura’s demotion is certainly disappointing. Hopefully, this is just a bump in the road for him and he will be able to build confidence and figure out his swing with some time away.
With the minor league baseball season beginning shortly, playing in the minors will allow Hiura to get at bats every day. Hiura flashed his potential in 2019 but he made his MLB debut that year full of confidence and success.
It appears a shortened 2020 season and bad start to the 2021 season has him in such a deep slump that continuing at the major league level was not benefiting anyone. For all of our sakes, we should hope that Hiura can break out of it and return to the Brewers ready to hit and contribute.
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