Back in 2019, Milwaukee Brewers top prospect Keston Hiura took Major League Baseball and the city by storm. Following a midseason call-up to Milwaukee, Hiura hit .303/.368/.570 with 19 home runs and 49 RBI. Despite striking out 107 times and playing shotty defense at second base, his offensive production was exciting. At the time, fans envisioned him and Christian Yelich anchoring the top of Brewers’ batting order for years to come.
Alas, it was not to be.
Former Milwaukee Brewers Infielder Keston Hiura Just Cannot Hit Major League Pitching
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Unfortunately for Hiura, and the Brewers, he never was able to hit at as high of a rate in his proceeding seasons with Milwaukee. What made it worse is that he still struck out too often.
In 2020, he hit .212/.297/.410 with 13 home runs, 32 RBI, and a National League-leading 85 strikeouts (in 59 games).
The following year, the Brewers tried moving Hiura to first base and then outfield due to his dismal defense at second base. Due to being optioned to the minors, he appeared in just 61 games that season, hitting .168/.256/.301 with four home runs, 19 RBI, and 77 strikeouts.
In 2023, he spent the whole year in Triple-A, and hit .308/.395/.565 with no home runs, 23 RBI, and 90 strikeouts in 85 games.
After being granted free agency following the 2023 season, he signed with the Detroit Tigers, but never made their Major League roster. Instead, he hit just .232/.312/.401 with six home runs and 24 RBI. Hiura struck out 56 times in 49 games.
After being released mid-season, he signed with the Los Angeles Angels and was sent to their Triple-A team. There, he hit .354/.424/.796 with 20 home runs, 42 RBI, and 51 strikeouts in 37 games.
He did get called up to the Angels for 10 games, but struck out 10 times while hitting a flat .148/.148/.148.
Former Milwaukee Brewers Bust Keston Hiura Has Signed with the Colorado Rockies
A couple of days ago, Hiura was signed by the Colorado Rockies. It is a minor league deal that includes an invitation to Spring Training:
The Rockies have agreed to a Minor League deal with INF Keston Hiura, per source. Hiura will be in Major League camp with Colorado.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 15, 2025
At least he will be playing baseball again. Unfortunately, Hiura has developed a reputation for being a hitter that can dominate minor league pitching, but struggles mightily in the Majors.
Maybe that will change with another change of scenery.
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