The Milwaukee Brewers have told former first-round pick and top prospect Keston Hiura that he will not be making the team this season out of spring training. Hiura, taken by the Brewers with the No. 9 overall pick in 2017, never really found a stable home after four seasons in Milwaukee.
With Hiura out of minor league options, the Brewers will now attempt to trade the 26-year-old second baseman. Milwaukee general manager Matt Arnold told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:
"We’d love for him to have an opportunity in the big leagues if it’s not with us because he’s earned that. He’s been a great Brewer and a great guy. He’s just awesome. Tough conversation.”
Non-roster invitee Tyler Naquin, an outfielder, was also told that he has not made the team.
Milwaukee Brewers fans have been torn about Hiura since he made his major league debut in 2019. He's had big moments for the team, but has lacked the consistency to be an everyday player for the National League Central club.
His glowing personality made him a lot of fans in the Cream City, however, and many fans expressed sadness over the move and best wishes for his future.
The writing had been on the wall for Hiura, who played just 141 games for the Milwaukee Brewers over the past two seasons. In his four-year career, he is hitting just .238 with 50 home runs and 132 RBIs. It's a far cry from what Brewers fans thought they were getting when Hiura debuted by batting .303 with 19 home runs over 84 games in 2019.
The departures of Hiura and Naquin have many fans figuring that hulking slugger Luke Voit will make the team. Voit signed a minor league contract with the Brewers on Feb. 21.
Tyler Naquin, Milwaukee barely knew thee.
Milwaukee Brewers also let go of Tyler Naquin
Naquin, himself once a highly-touted prospect, will be looking for work after Friday's news. The 31-year-old outfielder played for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets last season, after spending his first five major league seasons with the Cleveland Guardians.
After finishing third in the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year voting, Naquin has largely disappointed. In a seven-year career, he is hitting .264 with 61 home runs and 237 RBIs.