Keston Hiura, a local baseball hero, is coming back to his roots! The homecoming story of a rising star turned journeyman is about to unfold in Los Angeles. But will he find his stride again?
Hiura, a former standout at Valencia High School and UC Irvine, has signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, returning to the city that witnessed his early triumphs. This move marks a significant moment in the 29-year-old's career, which began with a bang but has since faced its fair share of challenges.
Selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2017 draft, Hiura made a memorable debut in May 2019. Despite a promising start, injuries plagued his rookie season, limiting his playing time. Nonetheless, he managed to impress, finishing the year with an impressive .303 batting average, 19 home runs, and 49 RBIs in just 84 games. This performance earned him a place on Baseball America's prestigious All-Rookie Team.
And this is where the journey gets interesting. Hiura's career took a detour as he spent most of 2023 in the minor leagues. He then signed with the Detroit Tigers in 2024, only to move to the Angels later that year, playing in 10 major league games. But the story doesn't end there. Last season, he played for the Colorado Rockies, appearing in eight games before being assigned elsewhere in June.
Now, Hiura is with the Dodgers, and the question on everyone's mind is, can he reclaim his former glory? He has already made appearances in their 2026 Spring Training games as a non-roster player, and with infielder Tommy Edman's Opening Day status uncertain due to ankle surgery, Hiura might just be the answer at second base.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is Hiura a one-hit-wonder, or will he rise again? Only time will tell if he can recapture the magic of his early career. What do you think his future holds? Share your predictions in the comments below!
