Brewers give up on former top prospect
May 30, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell returns to dugout before the first inning of game one of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
The Milwaukee Brewers are calling it a wrap on one formerly promising player.
Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reported Friday that the Brewers have informed veteran infielder Keston Hiura that he will not make their final roster for the 2023 season. They will attempt to find a trade for Hiura in the coming days but will place him on waivers if unsuccessful, McCalvy adds.
Hiura, now 26, was Milwaukee’s first-round pick in 2017 (No. 9 overall). He ranked as the team’s No. 1 prospect heading into the 2018 season and had an encouraging rookie year in 2019 (hitting .303 with 19 homers and 49 RBIs in just 84 games).
But the wheels have fallen off for Hiura over these last few seasons. Since 2021, Hiura has hit a woeful .202 with nearly 200 strikeouts in 463 plate appearances. He has also posted subpar defensive metrics in the infield.
#Brewers Keston Hiura struggled w/ balls up in the zone
BA/xBA
Up-in: .000/.116
Up-mid: .125/.100
Up-away: .167/.125wOBA/xwOBA
Up-in: .099/.188
Up-mid: .109/.092
Up-away: .323/.230Whiff%
Up-in:61%
Up-mid:53%
Up-away:65%Avg LA up-mid:-2
Only 1 hard hit ball up in the zone pic.twitter.com/OwszRx2NMo
— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) December 12, 2020
🚨 EL ERROR DEL DÍA ⚾️
Keston Hiura#Brewerspic.twitter.com/6uVFyX9Gvn
— Joframaso⚾️ (@joframaso) April 11, 2021
In fairness to Hiura, he has produced some big clutch moments and still has enough raw power to turn his career around. But it looks like that will now have to come with a different team than the one that drafted him.