Hiura named Fall League Player of the Week
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Two of the game's best prospects have claimed the first two Arizona Fall League Player of the Week awards.
After MLB Pipeline's No. 1 prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won the award last week, the Brewers' No. 1 prospect Keston Hiura claimed the honor on Tuesday.
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Hiura, the No. 30 overall prospect, was named the Arizona Fall League Player of the Week after batting .391, hitting safely in all five games played and posting 10 RBIs for the Peoria Javelinas.
Hiura was grateful to receive the award.
"It's a great honor. Being out here in the Fall League with a bunch of talented players, some of the top prospects in every organization is definitely an honor to receive that award," Hiura said. "Just glad to be back out here on the field and playing."
After two weeks of Fall League games, Hiura leads all players with 17 RBIs, while also ranking in the top five in home runs, hits and OPS.
Hiura discussed what has been working for him at the plate.
"Just staying within myself and having fun. It's a great league here with a bunch of great players so it's easy to have fun out there," Hiura said. "It gets kind of contagious out there. Everyone on the team has been hitting well and we've been able to put up a lot of runs during games."
Hiura is looking to build off a successful season in the Minors with Class A Advanced Carolina and Double-A Biloxi after batting .293 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs.
The ninth overall pick from the 2017 Draft, Hiura came out of UC Irvine with impressive hitting numbers leading the NCAA in batting average (.442).
With a 70-grade hit tool, Hiura is one of the best hitting prospects in baseball, but he's still looking to improve his fielding.
Hiura was limited to designated-hitter duties in the early part of his career due to a right elbow injury. He got more action in the field this season playing 79 of 121 games at second base and posted a .971 fielding percentage.
In the Fall League, he's played eight of nine games at second base.
"Just being more comfortable in general out on defense," Hiura said of his defensive goals. "Getting more balls and live reads off the bat and throwing from different arm angles around the field."