Dodgers Cut Ties with Former 1st-Round Pick Keston Hiura

Hiura, once a top prospect, fails to make Dodgers' Opening Day roster after being reassigned to minor league camp.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have reassigned former first-round pick Keston Hiura to their minor league camp, effectively ending his chances of making the MLB roster for Opening Day. Hiura, who was once a highly touted prospect after being drafted 9th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017, has struggled to find consistent success at the major league level, batting below .230 in three of his four MLB seasons.

Why it matters

Hiura's inability to solidify himself as an everyday MLB player is a disappointment, as he was once considered one of the top hitting prospects in baseball. His release from the Dodgers' roster highlights the challenges young players can face in transitioning from the minors to the majors and maintaining that high level of production.

The details

The Dodgers reassigned Hiura, along with 10 other players, to their minor league camp on Monday. Hiura was once a standout hitter in the minors, batting .303 with 19 home runs in 84 games during his MLB debut in 2019 with the Brewers. However, he has struggled to replicate that success, batting below .230 in three of his four MLB seasons. The Dodgers had signed Hiura in the offseason, hoping to revive his bat, but ultimately decided he did not make their Opening Day roster.

  • The Dodgers reassigned Keston Hiura to minor league camp on March 2, 2026.
  • Hiura was originally drafted 9th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017 out of UC-Irvine.

The players

Keston Hiura

A former first-round draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017 who has struggled to find consistent success at the major league level.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Major League Baseball team that has cut ties with Keston Hiura by reassigning him to their minor league camp.

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The takeaway

Keston Hiura's inability to establish himself as an everyday MLB player despite his promising minor league career serves as a reminder of the challenges young prospects can face in transitioning to the highest level of professional baseball. His release from the Dodgers' roster highlights the competitive nature of making a major league roster and the importance of consistent production at the big league level.