3 ways the Detroit Tigers' latest signing impacts the 2024 roster

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The Detroit Tigers went out and signed Keston Hiura on Friday, adding him to the mix of players in Lakeland for Spring Training. The team signed him to a minor-league contract, inviting him to Spring Training to join the team's camp in Florida.

Hiura's a 27-year-old infielder who can play the right side of the infield. He's a former UC Irvine product who was drafted ninth overall in the 2017 MLB First-Year Amateur Player Draft. Hiura has logged 284 career games in the big leagues but has struggled to hold down a roster spot with the Milwaukee Brewers organization as of late.

He did not play an MLB game in 2023 for the Brewers, spending his year in Triple-A with the Nashville Sounds and a couple of rehab games in Arizona on the backfields. A knee injury knocked him out and kept him on the shelf for a bit, which caused the need for that rehab stint.

The Tigers took a flier on Hiura, hoping he could come to a new organization and start turning the page on his career. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound infielder could serve as depth for the left side moving forward. After all, he had a great introductory season in the big leagues but has only gone downhill from there since then.

But there should be hope that Hiura can turn things around. If nothing else, he'll serve as depth for the Tigers to rely upon as needed. Who knows? Perhaps all he needs is a change of scenery.

Detroit Tigers take a flier on Keston Hiura; here's how he'll impact the team.

The Detroit Tigers brought in Keston Hiura for depth.

The bottom line is that Keston Hiura will serve as depth for the Detroit Tigers. However, there will still be ways for him to impact the team. Right now, the team's infield will be led by Javier Báez and Spencer Torkelson. However, Colt Keith, Zach McKinstry, and Matt Vierling will likely compete for the remaining second and third base spots.

On the flipside, there's a chance that Keith will lock down the second base after signing his six-year deal. Then Vierling could be the team's starting third baseman. Hiura can be an extra second baseman to mix in for the right side of the infield or even serve as depth at first base if needed.

If Hiura can come to Detroit and settle back in on his career, he could become a player to mix in as a depth add. He's not going to be on the active roster unless he breaks camp with the team, which would take a REALLY loud spring performance. But his infield depth helps on the right side of the field.

If nothing else, he'll come to Detroit and serve as another infielder the team can trot out there. It will be interesting to see how Hiura pans out, and this spring will serve as a good forecast for the season.

Detroit Tigers new signee's 2024 projections are intriguing.

Speaking of forecasting the season, Keston Hiura's ZiPS projection is quite bullish on his 2024 upside. In fact, they think that Hiura will break camp in the 2024 season with Detroit or at least end up playing a significant role for the Detroit Tigers.

Hiura has impressive ZiPS projections. He's expected to play in 103 games where he should slash .241/.324/.459 with 20 home runs and 67 RBI to his credit. It also projects a .314 BABIP and .218 ISO, which would be a step down from where he has been traditionally.

The point is that Hiura has been able to succeed when he does get the barrel on the ball. Traditionally, he averages a .337 BABIP and a .215 ISO, speaking to his power. Hiura has a chance to impact Detroit well if this happens. It's merely a prediction, and what actually happens is still left to be seen.

However, Hiura will have to work to make the roster first. If he comes out and can establish himself with Detroit, he could very much so factor into the team's roster this season. A performance like ZiPS projects would be huge and turn out to be a great deal.

That also requires Detroit to find a spot on the active roster for Hiura. It could be a simple roster move that corresponds with it, but a move will still need to be made. But it's not out of the realm of possibilities.

Keston Hiura brings competition to Detroit Tigers spring training.

The Detroit Tigers signed Keston Hiura to this deal, and while he's not on the active roster, he will take part in spring training with the team. Hiura's on his minor-league deal but will push to make the team's roster. However, Hiura has to prove himself at spring training.

For Hiura, he may flame out and serve as a Triple-A depth addition. He played in 80 Triple-A games last season, slashing .226/.316/.449 with eight doubles, a triple, and 14 home runs with 32 runs driven in. He had 23 walks and 11 strikeouts last summer.

So, at worst, he could serve as another infielder in the mix with the Triple-A Toledo. But, in Lakeland, he's going to bring competition. Having this competition is good. It brings out the best in some players, and having this in camp is good for the players fighting for positions.

After all, the Tigers brought Hiura on this minor-league deal and seem to think he can bring something to the organization. But this chance to prove himself in Lakeland could be huge for the team. If nothing else, the competition amongst infielders could be a nice bonus.

He could help shape the 2024 roster by being around and stirring up the competition among infielders fighting for jobs. After all, this team has a ton of versatility so that it could foster some development among players across multiple positions.

At the end of the day, Hiura's signing could be depth and nothing else, but it was worth the gamble at the very least.

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Detroit Tigers take a flier on Keston Hiura; here's how he'll impact the team.

The Detroit Tigers brought in Keston Hiura for depth.

Detroit Tigers new signee's 2024 projections are intriguing.

Keston Hiura brings competition to Detroit Tigers spring training.

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