Hiura is eager to tackle first base
Fourth in a 2021 Brewers positionby-position series.
To say first base has been a revolving door for the Milwaukee Brewers since Prince Fielder departed via free agency is not giving full credit for how often a revolving door spins.
Since Fielder bolted as a free agent after the 2011 season for the really big bucks in Detroit, the Brewers have had a different player start at first base every opening day. If you can name them, you are the truest of True Blue Brew Crew fans. For those who cannot, here is that interesting group:
2012: Mat Gamel (he lasted 21 games before blowing out a knee).
2013: Alex Gonzalez (yes, a shortstop started at first base).
2014: Lyle Overbay (second time around with the Brewers).
2015: Adam Lind (productive but traded after the season).
2016: Chris Carter (released after leading the NL with 41 HRs).
2017: Eric Thames (one opening day start during three years with club).
2018: Ryan Braun (got first start at 1B against a left-handed pitcher).
2019: Jesús Aguilar (took job from Thames, then slumped and was traded).
2020: Justin Smoak (horrible offensive showing led to his release after one month).
That revolving door will reach double figures this year with Keston Hiura slated to move to first base to accommodate free-agent signee Kolten Wong, a two-time Gold Glove winner at second base. A first-round draft pick in 2017 out of Cal-Irvine, Hiura is only 24 and in the early stages of his big-league career, and therefore could return some stability to the position if all goes well.
Manager Craig Counsell indicated at the outset of spring training that the club is not looking that far ahead, however. The plan is to give Hiura the majority of his at-bats at first base this year and see how that goes, both for the player and the club.
The Brewers’ first full-squad workout is not until Tuesday but Hiura lives in the area and already has been taking part in early sessions at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Counsell appreciates that eagerness to start learning a new position but said there is no need for a crash
course at the outset.
“This is very similar to how we've approached Ryan Braun in spring trainings past at first base,” said Counsell, referring to the methodical approach in which the erstwhile outfielder was given work at that position to broaden his horizons.
“It's really just about a little bit each day and just making progress every day. Spending a little bit of time, either through working or talking, on what's new here. This is a spot where you have six weeks. I think that's how you treat it – just a little bit every day. Nothing replaces innings out there (once games begin); that's the best way to do it.”
Hiura is going to get plenty of help in learning the intricacies of playing first base, of which there are more than most people realize. Bench coach Pat Murphy, third base coach Jason Lane and Class A manager Matt Erickson all are scheduled to work with him over the course of spring training.
When it was announced that Hiura was moving to first base, some wondered if he was tall enough to present a decent target for the throws of infielders. He is listed at six-feet even but when asked about it recently joked that might only be after he puts his cleats on.
Fielder was generously listed at 5foot-11 when he played for the Brewers and that didn't stop him from averaging 160 games during his six seasons with the club. He might not have been a Gold Glover but he showed up every day to play and gave it his all, showing better footwork around the bag than might have been expected from a 275-pounder.
“Two things there,” Counsell said of the question of Hiura's size. “We're moving a player from the middle of the diamond there. Generally, the size of the position is created just because it's a position where lateral range is not required as much. I think that's a big plus that Keston brings there.
“There's no arguing that wingspan and size logically help you at first base when you're catching throws. But the ball in the dirt is probably the more common ball and the scooped ball is probably the more common play than the wide, high throw. Keston's got all the tools to be a very good first baseman.
“He was a middle infielder in the big leagues, and it's a pretty rare move for a middle infielder to go to that place. So, that part of it, to me, bodes well for him to be really successful at this. And the challenge, really is brand new. Traditionally, it's an offensive position and that's the other thing. Generally, the great offensive players are just big dudes. We know Keston's a very good offensive player, and it's just in a different package.”
Hiura indeed has the pop that teams like to have at first base. In 2019, he slugged 19 home runs in 57 games in Class AAA and another 19 in 84 games with the Brewers, making an impressive big-league debut. He also legged out 23 doubles and two triples for Milwaukee while driving in 49 runs to go with a .570 slugging percentage.
As with many hitters during the pandemic-shortened, 60-game season in 2020, Hiura struggled at the plate, particularly in terms of making consistent contact. He batted only .212 with a .410 slugging percentage, 13 home runs and 32 RBI while leading the National League with 85 strikeouts.
The Brewers expect Hiura to bounce back over a 2021 full schedule and be a force again at the plate. And, by moving off second base, the throwing issues that led to 22 errors in 130 games there over two seasons no longer will be a factor.
When asking a player to switch positions, a big key is whether he buys into it mentally. After the first conversation he had with Hiura about making the move, Counsell knew that would not be a problem.
“This is a move that we think makes the team better; that's the thing,” Counsell said. “We had an opportunity with Kolten Wong and the way it works is you don't always get to pick where the opportunities come from. This is the way we're going to line up this year in a way that makes us better, and Keston was all for that.
“We're trying to put our best nine out there as much as we possibly can and this is how we do that, with the opportunity that presented itself this winter. That's the part that Keston was really on board with. I think he understands and I think it's easy to understand how this makes us better. He was all in on that.”
As for whether that move stops the revolving door at first base for the Brewers remains to be seen. Others will get work at the position this spring, including left-handed slugger Daniel Vogelbach, who would get more at-bats during the season if the designated hitter is employed in the NL as in 2020.
Travis Shaw, a third baseman by trade back for a second go-round with the Brewers, this time as a non-roster invitee, also has played first base in the majors and provides depth at that position. Yet another non-roster player, Jace Peterson, is back with the club and also knows his way around the bag.