Hiura, Naquin won’t make Brewers’ Opening Day roster
PHOENIX — Friday didn’t mark the tip of former first-round Draft choose and hotshot prospect Keston Hiura’s tenure with the Brewers, however it was actually a fork within the highway.
The Brewers knowledgeable Hiura about an hour earlier than he was to begin a split-squad sport in opposition to the Dodgers that he gained’t make the Opening Day roster. Hiura, 26, is out of Minor League choices, so the Brewers will attempt to discover him a Major League alternative within the coming days, in keeping with common supervisor Matt Arnold.
If they’re unsuccessful, then the membership must put Hiura on waivers. Any workforce may declare him and choose up his $2.2 million wage. Should he clear, Arnold stated “it’s definitely a possibility” that the Brewers would hold Hiura of their Minor League system.
“We wanted to give him as much runway as possible, in fairness to him, to get an opportunity with another Major League team,” Arnold stated.
The Brewers additionally knowledgeable non-roster invitee Tyler Naquin, an outfielder, that he wouldn’t make the Opening Day roster. Naquin has the precise to decide out of his deal, however as of Friday he remained in camp and began the Brewers’ different split-squad sport in opposition to the Rockies.
Conversations with each gamers have been tough, however significantly so for Hiura, who was the ninth total Draft select of UC Irvine in 2017 and rose to baseball’s No. 20 prospect per MLB Pipeline getting into 2019. That’s the 12 months he hit his approach to the massive leagues, the place he delivered a .938 OPS in 84 video games and hit 19 homers — third most for a Brewers rookie in franchise historical past, behind Ryan Braun (34 in ‘07) and Prince Fielder (28 in ‘06).
Always thought of a hit-first prospect, Hiura added first base to his resume starting in 2020 after which somewhat left area starting in ‘21. But he never replicated the offensive production from his rookie season, slipping from a 139 wRC+ in ’19 to 88 in ’20 and 53 in ’21 earlier than rebounding to 115 in selective taking part in time in ’22.
This spring, Hiura reported to camp and not using a clear place. Rowdy Tellez has established himself as the first first baseman, and the Brewers added Luke Voit as a non-roster invitee early in camp. Voit’s standing was nonetheless unresolved as of Friday afternoon, however ought to he stick with the Brewers, then Voit, Jesse Winker, Christian Yelich and William Contreras would most likely command a lot of the at-bats from the designated hitter spot. And Hiura’s protection means he was solely an occasional choice for second base or left area.
“I want to make sure people know that he is available and we want to do right by him,” Arnold stated. “We would love for him to have an opportunity in the big leagues if it’s not with us, because he’s earned that. He’s been a great Brewer and a great guy. It was a tough conversation. We have to make some tough decisions down the stretch here.”
Arnold additionally expressed optimism for Hiura ought to he stay with the group, saying it wouldn’t be the primary time a participant was faraway from the roster, discovered success within the Minor Leagues after which returned to thrive within the Majors.
“We have a lot of guys who think he can, he just needs the opportunity,” Arnold stated. “He ran out of that runway here, unfortunately, in the near-term. But if he remains a Brewer, he would still get a runway at Triple-A. There’s always the opportunity to make an adjustment and come back.”
Possible path to roster for high prospects
Naquin was slashing .207/.294/.276 in his first 11 Cactus League video games however was taking part in on as of Friday, when he began in proper area in opposition to the Rockies within the Brewers’ house sport. The Brewers have been in discussions with Naquin’s agent a couple of Triple-A chance.
His absence from the Opening Day combine was vital as a result of it opens a spot for an outfield prospect past beginning heart fielder Garrett Mitchell, who’s No. 4 on MLB Pipeline’s Brewers prospects checklist. Candidates embrace Sal Frelick (No. 2) and Joey Wiemer (No. 3), although Wiemer could have an higher hand by advantage of a robust arm completely suited to proper area, and the actual fact he bats right-handed — a necessity because the Brewers are at the moment constructed.
“Those guys have played really, really well,” Arnold stated. “They’re definitely in play.”
