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2017 MLB Draft: 3 More Possible Targets for San Francisco Giants

By Jake Mastroianni

May 8, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; A Rawlings baseball, the Official Ball of Major League Baseball, sits on the field before a game between Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; A Rawlings baseball, the Official Ball of Major League Baseball, sits on the field before a game between Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 11, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; A general view inside AT&T Park during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Keston Hiura – OF/2B – UC Irvine 

This is a name that I have not seen mentioned before, but the MLB Daily Dish from SB Nation has the San Francisco Giants taking Keston Hiura in the first round.

MLB.com has Hiura going to the Boston Red Sox with the 24th overall pick. You can check the link here to see video of Hiura.

He had a tremendous season for UC Irvine this year hitting .442 in 199 at-bats with 48 runs scored, 8 home runs and 42 RBI, as well as 9 stolen bases in 15 attempts. He struck out just 38 times and walked 50 times.

He is listed as an outfielder or infielder on the UC Irvine roster, but he was used primarily as a designated hitter this season.

That’s why I think Hiura fits an American League team better. At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds I’m not sure where he would play in the field. Most likely he would be a corner outfielder if the San Francisco Giants drafted him.

But he hasn’t exactly shown the power of a corner outfielder yet.

In 2016, as a sophomore, Hiura hit .358 with 41 runs scored, 7 home runs and 41 RBI.

Clearly the kid is a very talented hitter, I’m just not sure how well he fits in with the San Francisco Giants. I’m sure if he’s that good of a hitter, they will find somewhere for him to play in the field.

The fact that UC Irvine used him primarily as a DH tells me he may not be the best defensive player in the world. I don’t want the San Francisco Giants to sacrifice defense for offense.

We’ll see what the Giants think if they decide to take Hiura with the 19th pick.

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