Bold headline: The Dodgers are giving Keston Hiura another shot, but this time in the minor leagues with an invitation to Spring Training. And yes, this move carries potential upside and plenty of questions.
Here's the full, uniquely worded summary you asked for, with the same essential facts and context:
Keston Hiura, the former Brewers top prospect, is headed to the Dodgers on a minor league contract that also includes an invitation to MLB Spring Training, according to Jon Heyman from the New York Post. The 29-year-old first baseman is represented by CAA Sports.
Last season, Hiura spent most of his time in the Rockies organization. He did have a brief major-league stint in June, but the bulk of the year was spent at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he compiled a solid line of .272/.???/.??? with 21 homers over 100 games. In Colorado, his results were limited, going 3-for-18 in his cup of coffee.
Hiura was Milwaukee’s ninth-overall pick in the 2017 draft. He burst onto the scene by dominating minor league pitching and finishing 2018 as the Brewers’ top prospect. He earned his first big-league call-up in May 2019 after missing the initial camp, delivering an impressive rookie season: a 139 wRC+ with 19 homers over 84 games at age 22, cementing himself as a potential long-term building block for Milwaukee.
But the narrative shifted quickly. The 2020 season, shortened by the pandemic, exposed a strikeout rate that climbed from 30.7% to 34.6%, and he led the league in punchouts. Power remained, with 13 home runs and a .410 slugging percentage, but the swing-and-miss issue persisted.
The decline intensified in 2021, when Hiura’s strikeout rate ballooned to 39.1% and his batting average dipped to .168, with much of the year spent between Milwaukee and Triple-A Nashville. The following season didn’t stabilize things either: a 115 wRC+ with 14 homers over 80 games, yet an untenable 41.7% strikeout rate. He spent all of 2023 with the Sounds.
In recent years, organizations including the Tigers, Angels, and Rockies have given Hiura opportunities. He’s consistently posted strong numbers in the minors and shown flashes of power, but he hasn’t secured a lasting spot in the majors. Across his 18 MLB games over the past two seasons, he’s recorded more strikeouts (17) than hits (8).
Joining the Dodgers represents another chance in a deep organization. While Hiura may be a long shot to contribute at the major-league level given L.A.’s current depth, this arrangement could provide the right environment to address his contact issues and perhaps unlock a renewed strike-zone approach.
Photo credits: Rhona Wise and Rick Scuteri, Imagn Images
Would you take a flyer on Hiura as a breakout candidate, or do you think his track record suggests this is a long look but a limited upside? Share your thoughts in the comments.
