With one prospect emerging in a big way in May for the Milwaukee Brewers and another potentially on the way, how could the Crew’s future infield shape up?
Going into the 2019 season, the Milwaukee Brewers had a good amount of questions regarding their pitching, from the losses of Wade Miley (Houston) and Gio Gonzalez (minor league deal with Yankees) to the off-season injuries to bullpen aces Jeremy Jeffress and Corey Knebel, the latter of which will miss the entire season due to Tommy John Surgery.
While some of those questions have been remedied in the form of the ascension of Zach Davies and Brandon Woodruff to Jeffress’ return and a return to dominance by closer Josh Hader, the pitching remains the Crew’s definitive weak point coming into the dog days of summer.
However, one name that was not expected to be in the question mark category was infielder Travis Shaw, who started off the season hitting under the Mendoza line in March and April at .194, but things would only get worse from there for the former Red Sox man. In his 11 games played in May, Shaw would hit at a clip of just .081, bringing Brewers fans to clamor for a change to be made.
Milwaukee would eventually do just that, sending Shaw to the 10-day IL with a wrist issue and bringing up the team’s top prospect in Keston Hiura, moving Mike Moustakas, who had been playing second base with Shaw in the fold, back to his natural position at the hot corner.
First, though, a little about Keston Hiura.