After failing to make the major leagues this year, former top prospect Keston Hiura has cut ties with the Milwaukee Brewers organization and elected free agency.
#Brewers 1B Keston Hiura has elected free agency.
It's a disappointing end to the Brewers tenure for Hiura, who was ranked the No. 20 overall prospect in baseball in the 2019 season by MLB.com.
He appeared in games each year for the Brewers from 2019-2022 before being outrighted off the 40-man roster.
Sadly though, he regressed nearly every year. He came up in 2019, playing in 84 games and popped 19 home runs. In the COVID 2020 season, he hit 13 home runs in 59 games. Then in 2021, his offense cratered: He hit four home runs in 61 games and struggled to a .168 batting average. In 2022, he played in 80 games and hit 14 homers, but still batted just .226.
The strikeout has always been a major problem for Hiura. He led baseball in strikeouts during the COVID year, fanning 85 times in just the 60-game season.
He had a very productive year in the minors this year, playing in 88 total minor league games. He batted .311 with 23 homers and 79 RBI. He still struck out 91 times in 88 games but he did post a .397 on-base percentage.
Given that he's still just 27 years old and with his former prospect pedigree, it's likely a given that some team will take a flier on Hiura. He may want a change of scenery and a team that allows him a better chance to get back to the majors.
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