When Will Keston Hiura Arrive In Milwaukee?

[RollieTime]

Even though Hiura has only had a small taste of AAA, is it possible that he could be up with the Brewers in the next couple weeks?

 

It may sound far-fetched, but I could see Hiura coming up in the very near future (possibly a few days from now). I’m not sure of the exact day, but in only a few days from now, the Brewers will gain the extra year of control. I don’t think they need to wait for Super 2 to pass as putting the best team on the field right now is what’s most important.

 

With Aguilar struggling and Thames not providing much offensively for a while, could Thames find himself sent to the minors with Hiura coming up? I personally don’t think Moose was signed to be at second all season and that it was done incase of injuries or lack of production from guys at first or third.

 

Hiura would provide a right handed bat to the lineup and allow Moose and Shaw to man first and third.

 

Stearns may want Hiura to get a little more time in AAA, but if he continues to produce and the Brewers are getting little to no production at first, it may force his hand to give Hiura a chance sooner rather than later. With Hiura being able to be brought up in the next few days while getting the extra year of control, how early do you think we could see Hiura arrive in Milwaukee?

[brewcrewdue80]

I don't think he's made his case to be called up yet. 41% K rate and 1:23 bb:k He is obviously hitting the ball hard with 10XBH out of his 16 total hits. I'd give it a go maybe April 29th when the Brewers begin a 10 game homestand. Would be a boost probably for ticket sales with facing the Rockies, Mets, and Nationals.

 

The next 10 game homestand then begins June 20th. Probably the next occurrence to call him up and most likely past the Super 2 cutoff.

 

There is always my wonder on these things in regard to that if the guy is going to be soooo good, once you have the added control year just play him when they seem ready for a callup. Shouldn't the odds be that you are going to extend the player within a period of time? Once that contract extension happens Arbitration goes out the window and with it the fear of Super 2 raises.

 

You're only lose on the scenario is if the player is hell-bent on going to FA after team control expires and not signing an extension.

[Lathund]

With Aguilar struggling and Thames not providing much offensively for a while, could Thames find himself sent to the minors with Hiura coming up?

 

The problem with that is that Thames can't be optioned or outrighted without his consent even though he has option years remaining. While Aguilar is out of options. So removing one of them from the 25-man roster risks losing them permanently. Which, when it comes to Thames, as much as I like him, might be worth it. He's unlikely to be claimed, but might elect free agency instead.

 

I like the roster better with just one natural 1B, so an IF of Shaw/Aguilar-Hiura-Arcia-Moustakas looks good to me. Perez backs up the rest of the IF, Gamel backs up the OF. It's a more balanced roster than what we have tbh.

 

As for the K rate, I'd give it some more time. He's never had a K% this high or BB% this low before, in fact he's been remarkably consistent with those numbers. And it doesn't seem like he's striking out that much due to being overmatched, he's got a .940 OPS, or a 117 wRC+. Maybe he's working on some things, being a bit more aggressive; look for instance at Yelich's walk numbers from ST compared to his approach in the regular season. Or it might just be an anomaly, a product of which pitchers he's faced so far. Or it might be an issue; but I'd wait a lot longer before giving that too much consideration.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

If the Brewers tried to trade Aguilar now, they wouldn't get so much as a nibble. If they waived him, though, I bet 20 teams would put in claims. Because MLB Baseball.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Barring injury to the MLB roster, I don't think Hiura is a fit in Milwaukee until the cluster of Moose/Shaw/Aguilar/Thames is better sorted out. I think the Brewers' best potential situation to man 1B/2B/3B for this year would include Moose as the everyday 3B, Hiura as the everyday 2B, and a platoon of Shaw/Aguilar or Thames/Aguilar at 1B. However, while Hiura has gotten off to a good start offensively when he hits the ball, the strikeouts and even moreso lack of walks are troubling even though it's very early in the season. He's got to be swinging at everything right now, which is a recipe for a bad MLB start if pitchers don't have to throw him strikes to get him out.

 

I'm as high on Hiura as anyone, and I expect that K rate and K:BB ratio to normalize closer to his career levels before too long - however it's too soon to think about calling him up. Only reason this is a conversation is because the Brewers are getting very poor offensive production from 1B and 3B, now even LF, to start the season. When those 3 defensive positions give you next to no offense, people start looking for it elsewhere. The 2019 club is fine with Moose at 2B and Hiura figuring it out in AAA - provided Jesus, Shaw, and Braun start hitting like corner IFs and OFs should.

[Roderick]

Would be a boost probably for ticket sales with facing the Rockies, Mets, and Nationals.

 

Really? I don't think Joe Fan knows Hiura, and more importantly isn't going to go to a game just because he was brought up.

 

If after a couple of series he is on fire, then Joe Fan might say lets go see a game.

 

The easiest way to help attendance is to help win games. Which he may if Aguilar digs a deep enough hole. But that is a ways down the line still.

[JohnBriggs12]

With Aguilar and Braun not hitting, they are extremely vulnerable against LHP. I'm about 10 days away from the point where I'd release Thames, bring up Hiura and move Shaw to 1B and let Aguilar earn his way back into the lineup in a platoon.

[wntrtxn21]

Barring injury to the MLB roster, I don't think Hiura is a fit in Milwaukee until the cluster of Moose/Shaw/Aguilar/Thames is better sorted out. I think the Brewers' best potential situation to man 1B/2B/3B for this year would include Moose as the everyday 3B, Hiura as the everyday 2B, and a platoon of Shaw/Aguilar or Thames/Aguilar at 1B. However, while Hiura has gotten off to a good start offensively when he hits the ball, the strikeouts and even moreso lack of walks are troubling even though it's very early in the season. He's got to be swinging at everything right now, which is a recipe for a bad MLB start if pitchers don't have to throw him strikes to get him out.

 

I'm as high on Hiura as anyone, and I expect that K rate and K:BB ratio to normalize closer to his career levels before too long - however it's too soon to think about calling him up. Only reason this is a conversation is because the Brewers are getting very poor offensive production from 1B and 3B, now even LF, to start the season. When those 3 defensive positions give you next to no offense, people start looking for it elsewhere. The 2019 club is fine with Moose at 2B and Hiura figuring it out in AAA - provided Jesus, Shaw, and Braun start hitting like corner IFs and OFs should.

 

Neither Shaw nor Aguilar are platoon players. Shaw has consistently driven in runs (101 - 86) and hit 30+ HRs the last two years. IF Hiura was to come up, either Thames would have to be cut or Aguilar would have to be traded.

[MrTPlush]

All I know is the Brewers definitely aren't going to base their promotion of Hiura on when there is a long homestand. People don't care nor know much about prospects when the Brewers are winning. Because it isn't much of a concern and it isn't shoved down our throats. It sure isn't going to get people excited. People only get excited for prospects when the team sucks and it is the only bright spot...and Hiura certainly isn't a prospect to get hyped enough to sell anything.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Barring injury to the MLB roster, I don't think Hiura is a fit in Milwaukee until the cluster of Moose/Shaw/Aguilar/Thames is better sorted out. I think the Brewers' best potential situation to man 1B/2B/3B for this year would include Moose as the everyday 3B, Hiura as the everyday 2B, and a platoon of Shaw/Aguilar or Thames/Aguilar at 1B. However, while Hiura has gotten off to a good start offensively when he hits the ball, the strikeouts and even moreso lack of walks are troubling even though it's very early in the season. He's got to be swinging at everything right now, which is a recipe for a bad MLB start if pitchers don't have to throw him strikes to get him out.

 

I'm as high on Hiura as anyone, and I expect that K rate and K:BB ratio to normalize closer to his career levels before too long - however it's too soon to think about calling him up. Only reason this is a conversation is because the Brewers are getting very poor offensive production from 1B and 3B, now even LF, to start the season. When those 3 defensive positions give you next to no offense, people start looking for it elsewhere. The 2019 club is fine with Moose at 2B and Hiura figuring it out in AAA - provided Jesus, Shaw, and Braun start hitting like corner IFs and OFs should.

 

Neither Shaw nor Aguilar are platoon players. Shaw has consistently driven in runs (101 - 86) and hit 30+ HRs the last two years. IF Hiura was to come up, either Thames would have to be cut or Aguilar would have to be traded.

 

Most all of Shaw's power production comes from facing righthanded pitching - which he'd primarily get as a 1B platoon starter. 30 of Shaw's 32 2018 HR came against RHP. 26 of Shaw's 31 2017 HR came against RHP. Shaw should be a platoon player on a deep team with a solid RH hitting option to spell him. I agree that of Aguilar, Shaw, and Thames, Shaw should be the last player considered to be dealt/released/benched.

 

Aguilar just flat out needs to start producing

[liveforoctober]

I don't really have an opinion one way or the other - however is protecting his Super 2 status the most important aspect of the thought process right now? That's a legit question for those who may know. This isn't a 72 win club we have .. and the 3-1 losses against LA with a LHP where a few good at bats could change the outcome of the game are games we can't throw away. Last year proved that.

 

I don't know what Hiura's bat is worth in a 2-3 month sample and obviously am expecting an improvement from all 3 of the above mentioned starters ... but IF Hiura's bat in the lineup is a 2 game difference from now until an eventual call up in June/July ... he has to come up and play right now right?

[brewcrewdue80]

You two are kidding me right? What a disrespect to Milw fans thinking they have no clue on the #1 prosect on the team. He played in 22games this spring training. Pretty sure the club frequently signs their 1st pick during a homestand. It's called hype. You give fans something be buzzed about, add interest. Now for a guy like Freddy Peralta or Woodruff they weren't #1 in the team's pipeline or draft pick. Well, I guess whatever I'm wrong looking at the guys history when they debuted it's all on the road. Forgive me for being a fan in the know

[tmwiese55]

At this point I'd definitely be giving Thames a few more games over Jesus and hopefully one of the two gets going. Or maybe you just have to do a strict platoon like how it started last year.

 

That said, I agree the best roster construction would probably have been to trade Thames and replace him with a RH bat with ability to play IF. Since they couldn't or didn't want to move Thames preseason this is where we are now so I've assumed the plan (barring injuries to our MLB team) would be for Keston to be a Sept call up and get starts vs lefties over one of Shaw/Moose. If he does well and Jesus is still poor, then you can play Shaw at 1B and give Keston more starts.

[MadScientist]

You two are kidding me right? What a disrespect to Milw fans thinking they have no clue on the #1 prosect on the team. He played in 22games this spring training. Pretty sure the club frequently signs their 1st pick during a homestand. It's called hype. You give fans something be buzzed about, add interest. Now for a guy like Freddy Peralta or Woodruff they weren't #1 in the team's pipeline or draft pick. Well, I guess whatever I'm wrong looking at the guys history when they debuted it's all on the road. Forgive me for being a fan in the know

 

The Brewers are in first place despite a tough schedule, and were a game away from the world series last year. It would take a Vlad Jr. type prospect to create a noticeable buzz. This is not like Corey Hart in 2004. Hiura is off to a good start, but not so phenomenal that he needs to be brought up. If in a month, his hitting makes this look like a slow start, and Shaw, Aguilar and Thames are still struggling, then it would be a good idea to bring him up. Otherwise, let him work in AAA for most of the rest of the season.

[dlk9s]

You two are kidding me right? What a disrespect to Milw fans thinking they have no clue on the #1 prosect on the team. He played in 22games this spring training. Pretty sure the club frequently signs their 1st pick during a homestand. It's called hype. You give fans something be buzzed about, add interest. Now for a guy like Freddy Peralta or Woodruff they weren't #1 in the team's pipeline or draft pick. Well, I guess whatever I'm wrong looking at the guys history when they debuted it's all on the road. Forgive me for being a fan in the know

 

I think getting to Game 7 of the NLCS, having the best record in the NL until yesterday, and being home to the reigning MVP who is continuing to play like the MVP has generated plenty of buzz.

[Jenkins5]

I have zero interest in Hiura coming up until he gets back to his normal self. He’s never been a huge walk guy (7%ish) but he hasn’t been walking at all so far. Traditionally he’s a strong & professional contact hitter but so far he is giving Ray a run for his money on who can set a strikeout record. It is early and I assume he is selling out for power but until he can prove he can make good contact in AAA.... he shouldn’t be called up. There are 3 other guys there who I call up before him right now in that infield.

 

I’d like to stress I am a Hiura fan & I do not think contact will be an issue in future. However, he needs to get swing right before he can even stand chance to help us. You don’t go from K’ing 40%+ in AAA to getting called up & turning it around. Pitchers are much tougher at this level. Not place to be in order to work on swing.

[SRB]

We're at the point in the season where one bad or good game could dramatically affect K% and BB%. Those stats are close to meaningless.

 

If Hiura is passing the front office's eye test then I suspect he could get the call sooner than all were expecting so that Moose can move over to 1B.

[adambr2]

We're at the point in the season where one bad or good game could dramatically affect K% and BB%. Those stats are close to meaningless.

 

If Hiura is passing the front office's eye test then I suspect he could get the call sooner than all were expecting so that Moose can move over to 1B.

 

Probably makes more sense to shift Moose back to 3rd and Shaw to 1st.

[Brew crew 92]

Sometime after super 2, and their gonna need his right handed bat.

[willjski23]

I think next year or September call ups. Unless we really need him he should stay in AAA. He's going to be a big part of our future!

[RollieTime]

If Moose needs to hit the IL, I wonder if Hiura will get the call for a week or two to play second. It would be a good opportunity for him to come up for a short time to see what he can do against MLB pitching.

[Eye Black]

If Moose needs to hit the IL, I wonder if Hiura will get the call for a week or two to play second. It would be a good opportunity for him to come up for a short time to see what he can do against MLB pitching.

If they call anyone up to man 2B for just a week I think it’s more likely to be Jake Hager. I think once they ultimately call up Keston it will be with the intent for him to be a major leaguer for the foreseeable future.

 

EDIT: Saladino was called up earlier today, so they are probably all set on the middle infield for the time being.

[wildcat2237]

If Moose needs to hit the IL, I wonder if Hiura will get the call for a week or two to play second. It would be a good opportunity for him to come up for a short time to see what he can do against MLB pitching.

If they call anyone up to man 2B for just a week I think it’s more likely to be Jake Hager. I think once they ultimately call up Keston it will be with the intent for him to be a major leaguer for the foreseeable future.

 

EDIT: Saladino was called up earlier today, so they are probably all set on the middle infield for the time being.

 

Yep. I really really don't think they are eager to start Hiura's clock.

[MadScientist]

If Moose needs to hit the IL, I wonder if Hiura will get the call for a week or two to play second. It would be a good opportunity for him to come up for a short time to see what he can do against MLB pitching.

If they call anyone up to man 2B for just a week I think it’s more likely to be Jake Hager. I think once they ultimately call up Keston it will be with the intent for him to be a major leaguer for the foreseeable future.

 

EDIT: Saladino was called up earlier today, so they are probably all set on the middle infield for the time being.

 

Yep. I really really don't think they are eager to start Hiura's clock.

Clock, plus they already have to make a move on the 40 man to fit in Gio. I'm sure they don't want to have to drop 2 players. Saladino's numbers also indicate that he deserves the promotion.

[HiAndTight]

All I know is the Brewers definitely aren't going to base their promotion of Hiura on when there is a long homestand. People don't care nor know much about prospects when the Brewers are winning. Because it isn't much of a concern and it isn't shoved down our throats. It sure isn't going to get people excited. People only get excited for prospects when the team sucks and it is the only bright spot...and Hiura certainly isn't a prospect to get hyped enough to sell anything.

 

 

Really? That's certain?

 

And I actually agree, how little do you think of Brewers fans that they don't know who this guy is?

 

Your first sentence is right, the rest of your post couldn't be more wrong. They won't promote Hirura to time it with some home stretch. They didn't do it with Braun or others, they won't with him, but most Brewers fans know who he is, they can actually be excited about him even when the Brewers dont' suck and he very much is the type of prospect to get very excited about.