Keston Hiura’s Rollercoaster Journey Takes Another Turn: Dodgers Release First Baseman After Short Stint
In a surprising move, the Los Angeles Dodgers have parted ways with Keston Hiura, the first baseman they signed to a minor league deal just a couple of months ago. According to the Dodgers’ transaction log, Hiura has been released by the organization, and will now look for his next opportunity in free agency. After a brief stint in the Cactus League and limited action with the Oklahoma City Comets, the Dodgers have decided to move on, leaving Hiura once again seeking a new team to continue his professional career.
The Quick Decline of a Once-Hyped Prospect
Keston Hiura’s career trajectory has been a series of ups and downs, a reminder that potential doesn’t always translate into sustained success at the major league level. Drafted in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers out of UC Irvine, Hiura was immediately thrust into the spotlight. As the Brewers’ No. 1 prospect in both 2018 and 2019, expectations were sky-high. His MLB debut in 2019 at just 22 years old came with much fanfare, and he wasted no time making an impact.
In his rookie season, Hiura dazzled, batting .303 across 84 games with 19 home runs, 49 RBIs, and an impressive OPS of .938. It looked like the Brewers had found a future star, but as the years wore on, Hiura struggled to live up to that early promise. His production began to dip, and by the following seasons, his numbers took a sharp decline.
Struggles with Consistency and Strikeouts
Over the next three years, Hiura played in 200 games for the Brewers, but his offensive numbers were far from what was expected from a former top prospect. He managed just a .205 batting average, hitting 31 home runs and 83 RBIs, but also accumulated 273 strikeouts in 624 at-bats. His OPS dropped to .687, a far cry from his stellar debut year.
Despite his struggles, Hiura’s potential remained tantalizing, and he continued to get opportunities. However, by 2023, his struggles had reached a breaking point. The Brewers decided to designate him for assignment, and after going unclaimed on waivers, Hiura was outrighted to Triple-A. It was the end of his tenure in Milwaukee, and after the season, he elected free agency.
A Series of Minor League Deals and Short-Term Stints
The following year, Hiura signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers in February 2024, but never made an appearance at the major league level. Undeterred, he quickly found a new home with the Los Angeles Angels in June 2024. His time with the Angels was brief—10 games to be exact—where he struggled to find any consistency, hitting just .148 with an OPS of .296 and 10 strikeouts in 27 at-bats.
Hiura’s journey continued with the Colorado Rockies in 2025, where he signed another minor league deal. His time with the Rockies was similarly uneventful, as he played in just eight games, posting a .222 batting average and an OPS of .611, while striking out seven times in 18 at-bats. It was clear by this point that Hiura’s struggles to find consistent success at the major league level were not limited to one team or one season.
A Brief Shot with the Dodgers: A Sliver of Hope
In February 2026, Hiura signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, looking for a fresh start with one of the most successful franchises in the league. However, even in this new environment, Hiura’s troubles persisted. He appeared in just eight Cactus League games, going 1-for-14 (.071), with his only hit being a solo home run. Unfortunately, Hiura also struck out seven times and walked just three times, continuing his troubling trend of swing-and-miss tendencies.
With his release, Hiura is back to square one. Now, at 29 years old, he is once again facing a crossroads in his career, and it’s unclear what his future holds.
What Went Wrong: Can Hiura Find Success Again?
At this stage in his career, Hiura’s struggles seem to be rooted in his inability to consistently make contact. Strikeouts have been a persistent issue for him, and without a dramatic improvement in his ability to cut down on his swing-and-miss tendencies, it’s difficult to see how he’ll secure a long-term role in the majors. Despite his early promise and the hype that surrounded him as a top prospect, Hiura’s journey has been marred by inconsistency at the plate and below-average defense at both second base and first base. He even saw some action in the left field, but his defensive performance has never been considered a strength.
Despite all this, Hiura still has time to turn his career around. Major League Baseball is no stranger to late bloomers, and at 29, Hiura could still find his way back into a major league lineup—provided he can refine his approach at the plate and prove that he can consistently put the bat on the ball. It’s likely that Hiura will be looking for another minor league deal as he searches for his next opportunity to re-establish himself.
The End of a Short-Lived Stint with the Dodgers: What’s Next for Hiura?
While his time with the Dodgers was brief, it’s important to remember that Keston Hiura’s story isn’t over just yet. He remains a talented hitter with plenty of upside if he can find the right coaching and make the necessary adjustments. His time with the Dodgers is a reminder of how quickly things can change in baseball, and how even the most highly touted prospects can sometimes fall short of expectations. Hiura’s next steps will be crucial, as he looks to find a home where he can continue to develop and hopefully make a major league impact.
As he heads back into free agency, it’s clear that Keston Hiura’s future is uncertain, but he’s not out of options just yet. Whether it’s another minor league contract or a fresh opportunity with a new team, Hiura’s next move will determine if he can salvage a once-promising career that has been defined by fits and starts.
Stay tuned as Hiura searches for his next chapter in professional baseball. Could he find success in the right environment, or will his journey continue to be defined by missed opportunities? Only time will tell.
