2026 Hall of Fame Class: Keston Hiura
Alex Roberts-Croteau
2/2/2026
Keston Hiura joins the UC Irvine Athletics Hall of Fame for the class of 2026 as the 12th member of the basball program.
A three-year outfielder, Hiura was appointment viewing from his Freshman All-American season to his nationally-renowned junior season.
Hiura started all but three games in his three seasons finishing in the Anteater top-10 in multiple catergories with his 22 home runs, 135 RBIs, the program doubles leader with 54, and notably a career .375 average, second in program history. He had a massive final season hitting .442 which broke the Anteater single-season record and led the entire NCAA as did his .567 on-base percentage. His stock rose as a result finishing as a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, a stint with the U.S. Collegiate National Team, and being drafted ninth overall in the MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, the highest Anteater every drafted, and he's still playing professionally in his ninth year which has included six seasons on the Major League level playing 302 games and hitting 50 home runs, so far.
The Anteaters spotlight Keston and his journey through UC Irvine as part of the 2026 Hall of Fame Anteater class.
“I had one other offer in a walk-on spot, and then UC Irvine came in and offered and I snatched it up right away. I have some family out here so I’ve been in the area before, one of my dad’s cousins went to UC Irvine and enjoyed it there, and being such a good location was definitely an appealing factor. We’re glad it all worked out. I was very happy with my decision on coming here, it’s turned out to be the place for me.”What was your journey to UC Irvine and becoming an Anteater?
“I got here early with the other freshmen and incoming junior college transfers. We all reported and got workouts in, and I remember meeting the other guys and saw Cameron Bishop in our first batting practice hit one into the parking structure and was like I don’t think I can compete with that. But it was a lot of fun, and being able to have that freshman experience in a place like this, a beautiful campus, you’re excited to be here.”What was your first impression of the campus and the ballpark?
“Every time I come back in the offseason, coach always says one of his biggest regrets is not being able to take me to the postseason and get to experience that and how fun it was. My freshman year was following the year they went to Omaha and we actually had a really good year, we thought we’d be able to get in and unfortunately we didn’t. But I tell everyone I learned how to play the game of baseball the right way from working hard, hustling everywhere, small ball, running the bases, doing the little things, a solid foundation that you want. You’re able to win those close ball games because of that. That’s something that’s stuck with me. We didn’t have the guys that threw the hardest or hit the ball the farthest, but its finding a way to win ball games here at UC Irvine. It has stuck with me through my pro career as well. I still have the bunting skills, I threw down a base-hit bunt last year, and things like reading balls in the dirt, understanding all the rules of the game, thinking ahead, things that I was taught here and have helped me throughout my career.”What memories about your Anteater career stick out to you?
“I always thought it was cool being in pro ball and everyone either played for, played against, coaches with or against coach Gillespie. His mark was left around all of baseball and it helped with coaches understanding what kind of product and formula you’re going to get out of someone from UC Irvine. That’s just something I build off of and knew that there’s a right way and a wrong way to play baseball, and the right way is always going to stick out to coaches and teams, something I’ve noticed over the years, organizations know what they’re getting out of UC Irvine.”What pride do you have representing as an Anteater on the professional level?
“It means I’m getting old. That’s what I’ve been telling people, I mean I’m getting inducted into high school and college Hall of Fames. Next year will be 10 years and that’s just flown by. Feels like yesterday I was out here playing games, living at the beach with roommates. Crazy to see how much my time here has shaped me and the type of player and person I am. I’m part of a group that’s left their mark here at UC Irvine, and to be recognized for it is an honor. I’m wanting to be more and more involved with UCI baseball and athletics in general moving forward. To be part of a group that has done so much for the program and school, it’s something I want to continue to do.”What does it mean to you to be inducted into the UC Irvine Hall of Fame?
