SARASOTA, Fla. -- Heston Kjerstad's challenging start to the 2025 season (his third in the big leagues) led to a mid-June demotion to Triple-A Norfolk. While there, the former top prospect went on the injured list due to fatigue, then missed the remainder of the season because of an undisclosed medical issue.
On Sunday afternoon at Orioles camp, Kjerstad spoke to the media for the first time since before he got optioned to Triple-A. The 27-year-old, who has been a full participant early in Spring Training, stated he's now at full health, though he did not delve into the fatigue/undisclosed issue that ended his 2025 campaign.
"At this time, I’m probably not going to share too much, kind of like what the team’s already said," Kjerstad said. "But in the future, that’s something definitely we’ll get into, to cover the whole topic and all that."
Kjerstad was eager to talk about his future, which he remains confident can be bright.
"The year you have in front of you, that’s always the most important and what you want to focus on," said Kjerstad, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. "It should be a good year for me. Healthy, and we’ll see what happens"
It hasn't been an easy path for Kjerstad. The start of his professional career was delayed due to myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle). In 2024, he had two stints on the IL due to concussions.
Kjerstad has a ton of offensive potential, which has been shown at Triple-A, where the University of Arkansas product has hit .274 with 35 doubles, seven triples, 28 home runs, 96 RBIs and an .850 OPS across 159 games at the level. Those numbers haven't translated to the Majors, though, as Kjerstad owns a .218/.284/.365 slash line with eight doubles, two triples, 10 homers and 36 RBIs in 106 games for Baltimore over the past three seasons.
It won't be easy for Kjerstad (who has one Minor League option remaining) to make the O's Opening Day roster because of the crowded corner-outfield picture. Taylor Ward is projected to be the starter in left, while Tyler O'Neill and Dylan Beavers should split time in right. Utility man Blaze Alexander can also fill in across the outfield. So there won't be many openings on the team's bench.
But Kjerstad is off to an impressive start in Spring Training. He's already homered twice in live batting practice -- a left-on-left blast off Keegan Akin on Friday and a shot off right-handed prospect Levi Wells on Sunday -- and his swing appears to be in a great place.
"He looks like he’s physically in a great spot. You can tell he’s put a ton of work in this offseason, and to me, he’s just moving so efficiently in the box," manager Craig Albernaz said. "It's going to allow him to have a better at-bat quality, he’s been on tough pitches, and also, it’s going to allow that whippiness to work in the swing."
What Albernaz was alluding to was an adjustment made to Kjerstad's swing mechanics since last season.
Kjerstad has abandoned his large leg kick, instead opting for more of a toe tap as his right foot lands upon his swing. It was a development that occurred as he went through offseason hitting drills. The move felt "pretty natural," and it produced changes that Kjerstad thinks could help him better hit big league pitching.
"We’ll see what it leads to," Kjerstad said. "But there’s always a time for change, especially if it makes you a better hitter. That’s all I’m trying to do. ... It just felt like I was more consistently on time with barrels, kind of getting my foot down a little bit quicker, see the ball a little bit longer. Hopefully, be able to recognize pitches and make better swing decisions with it, too."
Kjerstad isn't the first Orioles hitter to make this type of change in recent years. Jackson Holliday did so late in the 2024 season, which helped lead to better offensive results in '25.
This past offseason, Kjerstad said he spent some time in Stillwater, Okla., where he hit with Holliday, Holliday's dad (former big leaguer Matt Holliday) and several other hitters at the family's massive baseball compound.
"We kind of agreed, it’s kind of a timing mechanism," Kjerstad said. "Your swing is still really similar to the way it was. You’re just changing the way maybe you’re loading, or maybe it makes your hands get to a better spot or makes you feel like you’re more on time."
The hope for the Orioles is that Kjerstad can still become a key part of their lineup for years to come.
"All these little speed bumps that he’s had, he’s just going to be better for it," Albernaz said, "and he’s going to continue to grow."