'I've always believed I could hit': ex-MLB slugger Hiura ready to showcase what he has in KBO

Lead

Former Major League Baseball infielder Keston Hiura has signed with the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), the team announced Monday. The 29-year-old replaces Trenton Brooks, who was released after failing to hit a home run in 41 games this season. Hiura, a first-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017, is expected to provide a much-needed power boost to a Heroes lineup that has struggled offensively.

Coverage Comparison

Two reports from Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's leading wire service, covered the signing. The first, published May 18, focused on the announcement and the team's poor offensive statistics. The second, published May 23, highlighted Hiura's arrival in Seoul and his first comments to the media. Both reports emphasized the Heroes' low rankings in home runs, batting average, and other offensive categories, framing Hiura's signing as a response to those struggles.

Key Claims

• Signing and Contract: Hiura signed with the Kiwoom Heroes, with a guaranteed salary of $400,000 and up to $100,000 more in incentives, according to the team's announcement reported by Yonhap. He replaces Trenton Brooks as the Heroes' lone foreign hitter.
• Heroes' Offensive Woes: As of the reporting dates, the Heroes ranked last among the 10 KBO teams in home runs, with 27 through Thursday's action (per the May 23 report) and 23 through Sunday's action (per the May 18 report). The team was also last in batting average (.226), runs (141), slugging percentage (.320), and on-base percentage (.302) as of the earlier report.
• Hiura's MLB Background: Hiura hit 19 home runs in 84 games as a rookie for the Brewers in 2019, and added 13 homers in 59 games in 2020. He later played for the Los Angeles Angels and Colorado Rockies, with stints in the minors.
• Personal Background: Yonhap reported that Hiura was born in California to a Chinese American mother and a Japanese American father. He is scheduled to arrive in South Korea on May 20, according to the first report, and met his new team on May 21, as detailed in the second.

Perspectives

In his first media session at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on May 21, Hiura expressed optimism about the move. "I'm excited for this opportunity. I'm ready for this experience. This can be a lot of fun," he said. He added, "I've always believed that I could hit. I was able to debut fairly early in my career, played my fair amount of big league games." Hiura noted that he chose the KBO after conversations with former teammate and ex-KBO MVP Josh Lindblom, who gave the league high praise.

The Heroes' front office expressed confidence in Hiura's ability to generate hard contact with his bat speed, expecting him to provide a "much-needed punch" in the middle of the lineup, as quoted by Yonhap. The team's decision underscores their urgency to address an offense that ranks at the bottom of the league in several key categories.

Hiura's journey—from early MLB success to recent struggles—reflects a player seeking a fresh start. With the KBO now his stage, the question is whether he can recapture the form that once made him one of baseball's promising young sluggers.