The Milwaukee Brewers have all-but set their Opening Day roster. For the first time in three seasons, that roster will not include Keston Hiura. The former first-round pick was designated for assignment last week when the club decided to sign Luke Voit to a one-year contract. Before designating him for assignment, Milwaukee attempted to find a trade partner for Hiura, but could not find any. Similarly, no other team made a claim for Hiura. As a result, he is accepting the Brewers’ assignment to Triple-A Nashville. Adam McClavy broke the news on Twitter:
Keston Hiura is staying with the Brewers. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville. It is his first career outright assignment, so he can’t yet elect free agency.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 28, 2023
Keston Hiura Has Failed to Develop with the Milwaukee Brewers
Fans had high hopes for Keston Hiura following his first call-up with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019. That year, he hit .303/.368/.570 with 19 home runs and 49 RBI in 84 games. Following Christian Yelich’s injury and the team’s heartbreaking loss to the Washington Nationals in the Wild Card round, hopes were high that Hiura would pair with Yelich to lead the team offensively going forward.
Unfortunately, that did not happen. Yelich has yet to come back to his MVP form, and may never do so. Hiura has struggled mightily since 2020, hitting .205/.293/.394 in the last three seasons. In the short 2020 season, he led the National League with 85 strikeouts in just 59 games. In 2021, Hiura was only up with the Brewers for 61 games, hitting .168/.256/.301 during that time.
Last season, he was constantly shuffled between the Majors and Nashville. When with the Sounds, Hiura hit .319/.458/.723 in 13 games. The problem is that he has yet to adjust to Major League pitching.
Of course, his defensive woes have not done him any favors. The Brewers have moved him from second base to first base and then to the outfield.
Keston Hiura is a great locker room presence and a great human being. Hopefully he can get his career turned around.
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