Keston Hiura of the Colorado Rockies hits an RBI single off San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray during the clubs' Major League Baseball regular-season game at Coors Field in Denver, June 11, 2025. AP-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 $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.
New Kiwoom Heroes infielder Keston Hiura signs his contract with the Korea Baseball Organization club, Monday. Courtesy of Kiwoom Heroes
Source: Korea Times News
