BALTIMORE -- The journey from the University of Arkansas to the Major Leagues wasn’t as linear as Heston Kjerstad had hoped or expected. He couldn’t have anticipated missing the first year of his pro baseball career due to myocarditis (an inflammation of the heart muscle).
But on Thursday, Kjerstad finally arrived in The Show.
The Orioles recalled Kjerstad -- the club’s No. 3 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 24 overall prospect -- from Triple-A Norfolk ahead of the opener of their pivotal four-game American League East series vs. the Rays. The 24-year-old slugging outfielder/first baseman wasn’t in Thursday’s lineup -- he struck out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning of the 4-3 loss -- but he should bring some offensive pop for the stretch run.
Kjerstad’s promotion came less than 24 hours after Baltimore first baseman Ryan Mountcastle exited Wednesday’s loss to the Cardinals with left shoulder discomfort (which, it turns out, is not expected to send him to the injured list). Still, Kjerstad was pulled early from Triple-A Norfolk’s game as a precaution, and afterward, he found out from Tides manager Buck Britton that he was being called up to the Majors for the first time.
Kjerstad immediately went out to his truck and called his parents, Dave and Jody, as a wave of emotions came over the Amarillo, Texas, native.
“You’re experiencing them all,” said Kjerstad, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. “Honestly, stoked, excited, relieved. It’s something you’ve worked for paying off and getting to go chase your dream.”
After missing all of the 2021 season (myocarditis) and the early part of the ‘22 campaign (when he was sidelined with a left hamstring strain), Kjerstad made up for lost time by raking everywhere he went. Last year, he was named Arizona Fall League MVP, posting a .357/.385/.622 slash line with five homers and 17 RBIs in 22 games.
This year, Kjerstad stood out in big league Spring Training (.381/.409/.810 with four homers and nine RBIs in 23 games). At that point, he had never played above High-A Aberdeen. Then, he impressed at both Double-A Bowie (.310/.384/.576 with 11 homers and 23 RBIs in 46 games) and Triple-A Norfolk (.298/.371/.498 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in 76 games).
“Heston’s had a really nice year in Triple-A. It’s been fun to watch him from afar,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “What he did in Spring Training, I was so impressed with how the ball came off his bat and the power that he showed and the ability to hit.”
Kjerstad is far from the first top prospect to arrive in Baltimore over the past two seasons. Catcher Adley Rutschman and infielder Gunnar Henderson reached the Majors last year. Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, infielder Jordan Westburg and outfielder Colton Cowser have all been called up for the first time in 2023.
The Orioles have a roster loaded with talent, so playing time could be a bit scarce for Kjerstad over the final 2 1/2 weeks of the regular season. Hyde indicated he mostly plans to use Kjerstad as a pinch-hitter off the bench, although he could get some starts in the corner outfield or at designated hitter. He’ll only be an emergency option at first base.
However Kjerstad is utilized, his bat can make a big impact. Left-hander DL Hall knows that well, as he was consistently awed by Kjerstad’s batting practice sessions when the two were together in Norfolk earlier in the season.
“The ball just comes off his bat a little bit different than other guys,” Hall said. “It’s pretty incredible. He’s got crazy power. So I’m excited to see him hit a few balls to Eutaw Street.”
That’s Kjerstad’s goal, too. It’s one that he kept in his mind as he went through adversity early during his time in the Orioles’ organization and overcame obstacles he never previously thought imaginable.
“I had to persevere through it, but that’s part of being an athlete and just a part of life. You’ve got to keep going,” Kjerstad said. “Stay focused on the end goal. Minor setback, major comeback.”