The Orioles selected outfielder Heston Kjerstad out of Arkansas with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2020 MLB Draft. He did not play in affiliated action until June 2022 after missing the entire 2021 season due to myocarditis and the start of the 2022 season because of a hamstring strain.
However, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound outfielder hit .309/.394/.457 between Low-A Delmarva and High-A Aberdeen in 2022, then earned Arizona Fall League MVP honors by hitting .357/.385/.622 with 15 extra-base hits. He began the 2023 season at Double-A Bowie, slashing .310/.384/.576 in 46 games before getting called up to Triple-A Norfolk. In 76 games with the Tides, Kjerstad hit .298/.371/.498 with 10 home runs, 19 doubles and 32 RBIs.
Aberdeen manager Roberto Mercado and Arkansas hitting coach Nate Thompson chatted with PressBox about the 24-year-old Kjerstad.
PB: What kind of relationship did you develop with Kjerstad?
Nate Thompson: We talk all the time. He trains here in the offseason. He’s a guy that loved to talk hitting. … Obviously hated it when he was down with the myocarditis and everything, and then he finally gets back and he looks like he’s about to roll and then he tears his hamstring. Hated that for him, but just stayed in touch with him and continued to pump him up and keep telling him, “Hey man, just do what you’ve got to do to get healthy because I know as soon as you get back out there, there’s not very many people with the skill that you have with the bat. I know it’s just a matter of time.”
PB: What’s your favorite Kjerstad story?
Roberto Mercado: I want to say it was Asheville where he went [0-for-4 with four strikeouts], sitting on the bench — calm, no issues, and he hits a game-tying home run in the ninth inning after having [four] tough at-bats. I think just seeing that, I think that’s really special for a guy who kind of brushed it off, it’s not a big deal. A guy who’s always had success — at Arkansas, he was an All-American [in 2020], played really well on Team USA and then started off hot in Delmarva and faced a little bit of adversity in Aberdeen. Just seeing him be able to overcome that in the last couple weeks and what he did in the fall league is just super impressive.
PB: Was there a moment when you realized Kjerstad was going to be special?
NT: During his freshman year, one particular swing that I thought was unbelievable was I think it was his first career home run here. We’re playing at San Diego State, but it’s a midweek game against the University of Arizona and we’re facing a left-handed pitcher. He hit an opposite-field home run off of him. I think it was his first career homer, and that ended up being the difference in the game. I remember thinking the ball wasn’t traveling well at all that night. The marine layer was kind of in effect. For him to be able to go oppo-taco like that I thought was like, “Wow, that shows a ton of strength and power to be able to do that as a freshman.”
PB: Where will Kjerstad have to improve to reach his ceiling? What challenges may he run into?
RM: We’re big on swing decisions and making sure we’re controlling the zone and making sure we’re getting good pitches to hit. We noticed how guys were attacking him last season and he’s made some adjustments that I think he’s not going to be exposed on certain pitches. I think on the defensive side, he’s obviously a power hitter. Where is he going to end up? Is he going to be in right field? Is he going to be at first base? That’s not my call. At the end of the day, whatever the organization decides, I know our coaching staff at all levels is going to prepare him the best they can to give him the best opportunity to play in the big leagues.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Baltimore Orioles
Originally published April 19, 2023. Updated Sept. 14.