ORGANIZATION REPORT

Outfielder Heston Kjerstad's career has been unique, to say the least.

Kjerstad Learns From Postseason Exposure

The Orioles drafted him No. 2 overall out of Arkansas in the five-round 2020 draft. He did not play his first pro game until two years later because he was diagnosed with myocarditis after the draft. Once Kjerstad got back on the field and rounded into game form, he rose quickly to Baltimore. He made his MLB debut on Sept. 14, 2023, and received three separate callups in 2024.

The 25-year-old also made the Orioles' postseason roster in both seasons, despite having just 129 career big league at-bats. Kjerstad was growing into a more regular role with the Orioles this season before he was hit in the head by a pitch and suffered a concussion. Next, he could be an everyday player in 2025 and is taking what he learned this October to heart.

"Just learning from the past two postseasons, it's anybody's ballgame, whenever," Kjerstad said. "They're close games, they come down to the little things. And day-in and day-out, you just have to come to compete. That's all it is in these games.

"You just have to keep competing and, hopefully, get the big hit when you can get it, and hopefully come up when maybe the game is on the line."

Despite struggling to break into the Orioles' lineup, Kjerstad hit .299/.382/.541 with 26 home runs in 132 games for Triple-A Norfolk the past two seasons.

Kjerstad's MLB playing time has been sporadic, but after his June recall, he produced a 1.141 OPS in 43 plate appearances before his concussion on July 20.

"He was swinging the bat really well at that time," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. "I think the opportunity was going to increase during that time, and then he had the concussion."

Roster circumstances may create that opportunity this winter. Anthony Santander is a pending free agent and other veterans could be on the move.

-JON MEOLI

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