It took Heston Kjerstad two years after he was drafted to make his skilled debut. He wanted lower than one to achieve the cusp of the majors.
The Orioles are selling Kjerstad, the second total choose within the 2020 draft, from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk, a staff supply confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. The 24-year-old hit .310 with a .959 OPS for the Baysox.
Kjerstad developed myocarditis, a coronary heart situation, shortly after Baltimore unexpectedly took him with its prime choose in 2020. In the spring of 2022, he suffered a extreme left hamstring straight that additional delayed the beginning of his profession. On June 10 — two years to the day after he was drafted — he made his skilled debut with Low-A Delmarva.
He largely hasn’t stopped hitting since. Kjerstad, a left-handed hitter who impressed the Orioles together with his energy on the University of Arkansas, hit .463 with a 1.201 OPS for the Shorebirds. He struggled with High-A Aberdeen, a stage that has challenged lots of Baltimore’s prime prospects, however ended 2022 by incomes Most Valuable Player honors within the Arizona Fall League. Kjerstad hit .357 with a 1.007 OPS towards a number of the sport’s prime rising gamers.
In his first main league spring coaching, Kjerstad once more showcased his potential. He homered to reverse area twice within the Orioles’ Grapefruit League opener, ending the exhibition slate with 4 house runs, a .381 common, an .810 slugging proportion and a 1.219 OPS.
He carried that success to Bowie, the place he frolicked at first base and each nook outfield spots. He’ll now attempt to proceed it in Norfolk.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com