HESTON KJERSTAD NEWS

Orioles plan to recall outfield prospect Heston Kjerstad The Orioles plan to recall outfielder Heston Kjerstad, the No. 42 prospect in baseball, to join the team for their series against the Angels...

APRIL 23 • BALTIMORESUN.COM

MiLB Player of the Week Spotlight: Orioles' Heston Kjerstad Few people are having more fun right now playing the game of baseball than Heston Kjerstad, who has found a way to stand out among a team of...

APRIL 12 • MLB.COM

Plates 10 runs at Triple-A Kjerstad went 5-for-7 with two home runs, two doubles, 10 RBI and two additional runs Wednesday in Triple-A Norfolk's 26-11 win over Charlotte.

Impact The Norfolk roster is teeming with four of the top hitting prospects in baseball in Kjerstad, Jackson Holliday, Connor Norby and Cody Mayo, and the quartet lived up to its billing Wednesday in a rout of Charlotte. Kjerstad led the way with five hits and 10 RBI, but Holliday, Norby and Mayo combined 11 hits and six RBI while No. 5 batter Kyle Stowers chipped in two home runs and seven RBI of his own. On the heels of his blistering performance at the dish, Kjerstad now owns a monstrous 1.785 OPS over five games for Norfolk on the season.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to Triple-A The Orioles optioned Kjerstad to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Kjerstad struggled to a .580 OPS in 18 spring games, so it's not a surprise he missed out on Baltimore's Opening Day roster given the club's strong group of position players. The 25-year-old had an .869 OPS in 76 contests at Norfolk last season and should receive another look with the Orioles at some point in 2024.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

From SEC rivals to Orioles teammates, Jordan Westburg and Heston Kjerstad share 'same path' After each reaching the majors in 2023, SEC products Jordan Westburg and Heston Kjerstad are key parts of the Orioles’ long-term plans.

MARCH 13 • BALTIMORESUN.COM

Struggling in spring Kjerstad has gone 2-for-14 over his first five Grapefruit League games.

Impact That's not a good look for Kjerstad, who is in the midst of a tough battle for a roster spot. The Orioles' outfield is set with Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander looking like starters. It's believed the team will carry two extra outfielders, though it's also possible Jorge Mateo will see time in the outfield as a utility player. Kjerstad will need to get his bat going to separate from the field, namely Colton Cowser and Kyle Stowers.

MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE

After glimpse of MLB in '23, Kjerstad vying for O's roster spot SARASOTA, Fla. -- The news was delivered to Heston Kjerstad on an evening early last June: He was being promoted from Double-A Bowie to Trip...

FEBRUARY 20 • MLB.COM

Receives spot on ALDS roster Kjerstad is on the Orioles' roster for their ALDS matchup against the Rangers, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Impact Kjerstad slashed .233/.281/.467 with two homers and three RBI after being promoted from Triple-A Norfolk in mid-September -- enough to secure himself a spot on the playoff roster. The 24-year-old rookie will likely serve as bench depth as Baltimore may choose to send out their experienced veterans more often for the postseason.

OCTOBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Saturday Kjerstad isn't in the Orioles' lineup Saturday versus the Guardians, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Kjerstad will get a breather Saturday after starting his major-league career 5-for-21 with two homers across his first eight games. Adley Rutschman will operate as Baltimore's designated hitter instead while James McCann starts behind the plate.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Taking seat Thursday Kjerstad is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Cleveland.

Impact Kjerstad had started each of the previous three games at designated hitter, but he will begin this one on the bench. Anthony Santader will be at DH on Thursday while Aaron Hicks gets a start in right field.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Clubs second homer Kjerstad went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 9-5 win over the Astros.

Impact Kjerstad padded the Orioles' lead in the seventh inning with his second homer in five games since he was called up. He's gone 4-for-13 with five strikeouts. The 24-year-old has made all three of his starts at designated hitter, though he can also be an option at first base and in the corner outfield in a pinch. For now, it appears the Orioles are focused on letting him hit in a part-time role versus right-handed pitchers.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles win 4th straight, blast Astros, 9-5, behind homers from Austin Hays, Ryan O'Hearn and Heston Kjerstad Austin Hays hit two homers, Ryan O'Hearn stayed hot with a first-inning blast and rookie Heston Kjerstad went deep, too, as the Orioles beat...

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • BALTIMORESUN.COM

Not in lineup Sunday Kjerstad is on the bench again Sunday against the Rays.

Impact Kjerstad has drawn only one start since being promoted Thursday from Triple-A Norfolk. Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander will start across the outfield Sunday with Adley Rutschman serving as the Orioles' designated hitter.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not in starting nine Kjerstad will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Rays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Kjerstad's role down the stretch may take some time to figure out. He was limited to a pinch-hit appearance in his MLB debut Thursday, then started at designated hitter and homered Friday, only to retreat to the bench the following day. Kjerstad's first off day came against a lefty, which hinted at a possible platoon role, but his off day Saturday comes against righty Tyler Glasnow. Anthony Santander will serve as the DH on Saturday, with Aaron Hicks entering the lineup in right field.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies first big-league homer Kjerstad went 1-for-2 with a solo home run Friday against the Rays.

Impact Kjerstad drew his first big-league start Friday. He struck out in his first plate appearance before leading off the sixth frame with his first career home run. Kjerstad was pinch-hit for with a lefty on the mound in his next plate appearance, another indication his playing time may be limited after he was also out of the lineup Thursday upon being called up to the majors.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kjerstad crushes 418-ft homer for first big league hit BALTIMORE -- Imagine this: Your first MLB hit is a home run to break up a no-hitter during a game in which first place in the division hangs...

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • MLB.COM

Gets first MLB start Kjerstad will serve as the designated hitter and bat seventh Friday against the Rays.

Impact Kjerstad made his major-league debut off the bench in Thursday's series opener versus Tampa Bay and will now get his first big-league start. Prior to being promoted to Baltimore, the 24-year-old had slashed .303/.376/.528 with 21 home runs in 122 games this summer between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pinch-hit appearance in MLB debut Kjerstad went 0-for-1 with a strikeout in Thursday's 4-3 loss against the Rays.

Impact Kjerstad made his major-league debut Thursday, coming in as a pinch hitter and striking out in his lone plate appearance. The 24-year-old top prospect was thrown right into a big spot, entering in the eighth inning with the Orioles trailing by one. Despite the underwhelming debut, Kjerstad is expected to be a significant part of Baltimore's young core for the foreseeable future.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Officially up for MLB debut The Orioles selected Kjerstad's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Impact A heart condition and a serious hamstring injury have conspired to limit Kjerstad's reps in the minors, but he's been excellent when healthy, collecting a .904 OPS with 21 home runs in 122 games between Double-A Bowie and Norfolk this season. He can handle the corner outfield spots as well as first base and could see starts against right-handed pitching especially while Ryan Mountcastle (shoulder) is banged up.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

May be promoted to majors Kjerstad is traveling to Baltimore to join the Orioles, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Impact No roster move has been announced yet, but the Orioles will keep Kjerstad close by in case Ryan Mountcastle (shoulder) has to go on the injured list. Kjerstad is slashing .299/.370/.500 with 10 homers and 32 RBI across 332 plate appearances with Triple-A Norfolk this season.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Being promoted to Triple-A The Orioles are promoting Kjerstad to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Impact Kjerstad missed time with a heart condition after being drafted by Baltimore with the No. 2 overall pick in 2020, but he's progressed through the Orioles' minor-league system quickly since debuting in 2022. The 24-year-old began the 2023 campaign at Double-A Bowie, where he slashed .300/.370/.572 with 11 homers, 29 runs, 22 RBI and three stolen bases.

JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE