• Full name Heston Sawyer Kjerstad
  • Born 02/12/1999 in Amarillo, TX
  • Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: R
  • School Arkansas
  • Drafted in the 1st round (2nd overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2020 (signed for $5,200,000).
    View Draft Report
    While the shortened 2020 season impacts every player to some extent, Kjerstad might be one of the least negatively impacted players outside of the top five. The Arkansas outfielder has a long track record of hitting for average and power, both in the SEC and with Team USA’s Collegiate National Team. Last summer, Kjerstad led Team USA with a .395/.426/.651 line including two home runs, a triple and three doubles. He’s hit better than .330/.400/.550 in each of his first two seasons with Arkansas and was off to another hot start in his junior campaign. That type of consistency gives him one of the higher floors among hitters in the 2020 draft class. He’s a middle-of-the-order type bat but might be more power over pure hit, with 70-grade future raw power and the ability to leave a ballpark in any direction. His swing is a bit unorthodox, with a two-piece action and a pause with a big leg kick that interrupts his timing. The complex mechanics might why he’s historically struck out at a high clip. Kjerstad whiffed 17 percent of the time as a freshman, 21 percent of the time as a sophomore and struck out 10 times and walked just three times with Team USA last summer. While the early returns in that department were improved in a 16-game non-conference sample this spring, teams believe Kjerstad might always strike out at a decent rate. His power production might make the swing-and-miss palatable He’s a corner outfielder and a decent athlete for his size, but it would be optimistic to expect more than adequate defense from him in left or right. Kjerstad has a solid, accurate throwing arm, but most of his value is in his bat. He should go off the board at some point in the middle of the first round.

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Career Transactions

  • Baltimore Orioles activated LF Heston Kjerstad from the 10-day injured list.
  • Baltimore Orioles sent LF Heston Kjerstad on a rehab assignment to Bowie Baysox.
  • Baltimore Orioles sent LF Heston Kjerstad on a rehab assignment to Aberdeen IronBirds.
  • Baltimore Orioles placed OF Heston Kjerstad on the 10-day injured list retroactive to August 1, 2024. Concussion.
  • Baltimore Orioles optioned OF Heston Kjerstad to Norfolk Tides.
  • Baltimore Orioles activated OF Heston Kjerstad from the 7-day injured list.
  • Baltimore Orioles placed OF Heston Kjerstad on the 7-day injured list. Concussion.
  • Baltimore Orioles recalled OF Heston Kjerstad from Norfolk Tides.
  • Baltimore Orioles optioned OF Heston Kjerstad to Norfolk Tides.
  • Baltimore Orioles recalled OF Heston Kjerstad from Norfolk Tides.
  • Norfolk Tides activated OF Heston Kjerstad.
  • Norfolk Tides placed OF Heston Kjerstad on the temporarily inactive list.
  • OF Heston Kjerstad assigned to Norfolk Tides from Bowie Baysox.
  • OF Heston Kjerstad assigned to Norfolk Tides from Bowie Baysox.
  • OF Heston Kjerstad assigned to Bowie Baysox from Aberdeen IronBirds.
  • Baltimore Orioles invited non-roster OF Heston Kjerstad and to spring training.

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