For the 2024 season, Keston Hiura, a former ninth overall draft choice of the Milwaukee Brewers, has chosen a new home. The Brew Crews were home to the UC Irvine product for seven years, and he made big league appearances in 2019 and 2022. He was designated for assignment before the previous season began, and he played in the minor levels the entire time.
He was not allowed to choose free agency until the end of the season since he did not have enough MLB service time and was dropped from the 40-man roster for the first time last spring. He acquired a new home with an American League Central team on February 16, 2024.
Keston Hiura has signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers.
The first to disclose Hiura’s signing with the Tigers was Jon Heyman. Later on, he clarified that it was a minor league agreement that included a camp invitation for the big leagues. Hiura is not entitled to obtain the three built-in opt-out dates that were added to veteran player contracts under the relatively recent collective bargaining agreement because he did not participate in the major leagues the previous season.
How did Keston Hiura perform with the Milwaukee Brewers?
Hiura had no trouble slugging the ball at any level while he was a member of the Milwaukee team. He slugged.453 in 938 major league at-bats with 50 home runs and 44 doubles, and he finished with a.546 career minor level slugging percentage in 1409 at-bats.
Hiura’s two main problems with the Brewers were strikeouts and defence. He struggled to establish himself at first base or second base in the major leagues, striking out 36 percent of the time. He mostly played left field and first base in the minor leagues last season, reducing his strikeout percentage to 22.8%.
Will Keston Hiura get a big league opportunity with the Detroit Tigers?
Spencer Torkelson is ranked highest on the Tigers first base depth chart. If he performs well enough to be added to the 40-man roster, he may be able to earn at-bats at designated hitter, second base, or the outfield. Hiura might not have to wait long to receive another chance in the big leagues with Detroit, given his track record of dominance at Triple-A and the minor levels.
