Few hitters across Major League Baseball have gotten off to a worse start than Keston Hiura this season. Hiura’s 48 wRC+ is in the bottom 10 of qualified hitters. His 36% strikeout rate is in the bottom five. The Brewers have been patient with Hiura, and rightfully so. An important player should not be cast aside simply due to a couple of rough weeks. The former top prospect was supposed to play a key role in Milwaukee’s lineup this season, particularly as protection behind former National League MVP Christian Yelich.
That has not been the case, however. With the first month of the season now in the books, Hiura continues to struggle mightily at making contact.