Milwaukee Brewers: Keston Hiura Wins AFL MVP, When MLB ETA?

The Milwaukee Brewers number one prospect, 2B Keston Hiura, won the Arizona Fall League MVP by putting up big numbers. Hiura’s ETA with the Brewers gets closer with each feat he accomplishes.

Last season, Milwaukee Brewers General Manager David Stearns gave up on Jonathan Villar and traded for Orioles Jonathan Schoop to help the team’s offense during the 2018 MLB Playoffs run. Schoop, however, played poorly. This makes second baseman a position of thought for Stearns.

The Brewers won more games than any other team in the National League during the 2018 season. However, every team looks to get better each year.

Milwaukee has good organizational depth led by number one prospect Keston Hiura. Stearns does not think the team needs to spend much money to address any holes in the roster. Despite those batting holes, Stearns sounds like he is comfortable filling second baseman and shortstop with current players.

“From a specific standpoint, a positional standpoint at the major-league level, we have the vast majority of our team returning,” Stearns told the Brewers media. “So, I don’t know that I would pinpoint a particular area or two that we see that absolutely must be addressed. But there are going to be opportunities to improve our team in the off-season, and we’re going to work hard to take advantage of those opportunities.”

Arcia hit very well in the 2018 MLB Playoffs for the Brewers and will likely get the start there in 2019, but second baseman might be more competitive in Spring Training.

Milwaukee Brewers Second Baseman Keston Hiura ETA

Keston Hiura recently won the AFL MVP.

Most agree that Hiura hits well enough to compete as a regular second baseman at the MLB level. However, the Milwaukee Brewers do a ton of defensive shifting and Hiura is known for having a sensitive throwing arm. This is what one expert had to say.

“I can’t say enough about his bat,” the Brewers executive said. “It’s a combination of hit and power. He’s got a good idea of what to do at the plate, he’s an intelligent kid. We couldn’t be more pleased with the progress. The next step is making him a complete player, which involves more and more reps at second base. That means handling the throws with all the aggressive shifts we make, handling throws from different parts of the field.

The Milwaukee Brewers make it sound like they want Hiura to spend a bit more time developing experience and arm strength as a second baseman before adding him to the MLB roster.

Unless he shows up and blows away expectations on defense, the AFL MVP will likely begin the season at Triple-A San Antonio with an ETA as a September call up or earlier if a big bat is needed.

Milwaukee Brewers Can Wait On Hiura Because Of Schoop, Dubon, Perez

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Jonathan Schoop

The Milwaukee Brewers have gotten almost nothing from second baseman Jonathan Schoop. But, the former All-Star for the Baltimore Orioles will be  with the team in 2019 unless they trade or cut him..

Milwaukee gave up unpopular and under-performing second baseman Jonathan Villar along with a good pitching prospect in Luis Ortiz. The analysis of the trade looks bad right now, but it could still prove to be worthwhile.

If Schoop can play for the Brewers during the 2019 season like he did for the Orioles during the 2017 season, Milwaukee will be happy with the trade. That will be enough time to get Keston Hiura fully ready for the job.

Mauricio Dubon

The Milwaukee Brewers acquired Dubon from Boston in the Travis Shaw deal. Dubon, a speedy second baseman was going to get called up to help the Brewers weak 2018 middle infield, but injured himself for the season the very day he got the opportunity.

In 2019, Dubon will be ready to go and could fill in as the Brewers second baseman if Hiura needs more time seasoning and Schoop’s struggles continue. Dubon could even shift to shortstop to spare some at-bats for Orlando Arcia who might need some nights off at shortstop.

Hernan Perez

Much like Marwin Gonzalez of the 2017 World Series Championship Houston Astros, Perez is a valuable utility player. Similar to Gonzalez, Perez has a decent glove in the infield and corner outfield spots. Perez also has a little pop to his bat.

Perez could fill in as second baseman if Schoop and Dubon struggle and Hiura needs extra time to develop defensively. This would not be optimal for the Brewers because Milwaukee would like for Perez to give players’ breathers.