Kiwoom Heroes Sign Former MLB Player Keston Hiura
Quick Look
- The Kiwoom Heroes have signed former MLB player Keston Hiura for the remainder of the season, paying him $400,000 guaranteed plus $100,000 in incentives.
- The team also released Trenton Brooks.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Kiwoom Heroes, currently last in the KBO in several offensive categories, have signed former MLB player Keston Hiura to bolster their lineup. This move comes as they released Trenton Brooks, who had not hit any home runs this season.
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, May 18 (Yonhap) -- The Kiwoom Heroes announced Monday they have signed former big leaguer Keston Hiura.
In a corresponding move, the Heroes released Trenton Brooks, who had been held without a home run in 41 games this season -- his first in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
The Heroes said Hiura, 29, will be paid US$400,000 in guaranteed salary for the rest of this season, with another $100,000 available in incentives.
A first-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2017 major league draft, Hiura blasted 19 home runs in only 84 games as a rookie for the Brewers in 2019.
The right-handed batter flashed more power potential in 2020, when he had 13 homers in 59 games in the pandemic-shortened season. However, Hiura also led the National League with 85 strikeouts that season.
Hiura was limited to just four homers in 61 games in 2021 before bouncing back with 14 homers in 80 games in 2022.
He spent the entire 2023 season in the minors and went on to play for the Los Angeles Angels in 2024 and the Colorado Rockies in 2025. He also had minor league deals with the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Dodgers along the way.
The Heroes said Hiura, who can play first base and second base with some experience in the outfield, can generate hard contact with his superb bat speed and they expect him to provide a much-needed punch in the middle of their lineup.
Through Sunday's action, the Heroes ranked last among the 10 KBO teams in batting average (.226), runs (141), home runs (23), slugging percentage (.320) and on-base percentage (.302).
Hiura was born in California to a Chinese American mother and a Japanese American father. He is scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Wednesday.
Open Questions
- How will Keston Hiura perform in the KBO?
- Will his addition significantly improve the Kiwoom Heroes' offensive statistics?
- What is the long-term plan for Keston Hiura with the team?
- What are the specific performance metrics for the incentives offered to Hiura?
