The Brewers have enjoyed a golden age of middle-infield prospects.
Shortstop Orlando Arcia was ranked MLB.com’s No. 6 prospect before his promotion three years ago. Former Milwaukee shortstop and onetime top-100 prospect Jean Segura was 23 when he made an All-Star appearance in 2013, and former second baseman Jonathan Villar was 25 when he stole 62 bases for the club in 2016.
Now comes second baseman Keston Hiura, who was called up Tuesday. His presence should not be overlooked: As baseball’s No. 20 prospect according to MLB.com, he gives the Brewers’ infield immediate relief in a season where the group has not lived up to lofty expectations.
Hiura replaces IL-bound Travis Shaw (wrist), who had been by far the worst hitter of the bunch. Additionally, Hiura’s middle-infield background allows Mike Moustakas to return to his more natural position at third base.
For a team already considered one of the best in the National League, that’s a big deal.
“It's a good jolt of energy for everybody,” said Brewers manager Craig Counsell to reporters Tuesday. "We've had Keston the last two springs. He's an advanced hitter. … That's always been what has stood out. He has hit his way up here."
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Hiura’s debut went about as well as possible. It ended with two hits and a walk on his ledger. He didn't reach base in his second game Wednesday, but the Brewers hold high expectations for him. In 37 Triple-A games this season, he launched 11 home runs and batted .333, exceeding his impressive numbers at previous stops.
That kind of production at the MLB level would present a stark contrast to Shaw, who slashed .163/.266/.281 with four home runs before his merciful IL stint. As a whole, the Brewers’ infield has slashed .232/.316/.405 this season.
"It is what it is,” Shaw told reporters. “This year hasn't been ideal. Having gone through it last year, I knew it was no point trying it again. I haven't been swinging the bat well anyway, so why make it even harder?"
Shaw can take solace in former teammate Domingo Santana’s rejuvenation in Seattle. Santana lost his outfield job with the Brewers amid poor play in 2018 despite being a key cog for them the year before. Milwaukee shipped him to the Mariners in the offseason, and he has responded to that adversity by hitting eight home runs already this season. Maybe Shaw, like Santana, will rebound elsewhere if Hiura does takes hold of second base for good, an opportunity the 22-year-old could embrace in the coming weeks.
Having a 32-home run hitter nosedive at the plate is never ideal, but Hiura can make the Brewers forget Shaw's regression soon if he sticks in the big leagues.