Seoul: The Kiwoom Heroes have announced the signing of former Major League Baseball infielder Keston Hiura. In a corresponding move, the team has released Trenton Brooks, who had struggled to make an impact with no home runs in 41 games during his first season in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).

According to Yonhap News Agency, Hiura, aged 29, will receive a guaranteed salary of US$400,000 for the remainder of the season, with an additional $100,000 available through incentives. Hiura, a first-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2017 MLB draft, made a strong impression as a rookie by hitting 19 home runs in 84 games during the 2019 season.

In the 2020 season, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Hiura demonstrated his power potential with 13 home runs in 59 games. However, he also led the National League in strikeouts that year with 85. The following season, Hiura's performance saw a decline with only four home runs in 61 games. He managed a comeback in 2022 with 14 home runs in 80 games.

Hiura spent the entire 2023 season in the minor leagues before playing for the Los Angeles Angels in 2024 and the Colorado Rockies in 2025. During this period, he also held minor league contracts with the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Heroes have expressed confidence in Hiura's ability to play both first and second base, with some experience in the outfield. They believe his bat speed will contribute significantly to the team's lineup, which has been struggling. Currently, the Heroes rank last among the 10 KBO teams in several key offensive categories, including batting average, runs, home runs, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage.

Hiura, who was born in California to a Chinese American mother and a Japanese American father, is expected to arrive in South Korea on Wednesday.