Heston Kjerstad went through an extended period of uncertainty after the Orioles made him the second overall pick in the 2020 draft. The organization eventually announced that Kjerstad had been suffering from myocarditis, and the “non-baseball injury” was preventing the top prospect from making his professional debut.
Kjerstad was finally cleared to play in 2022, and the Birds’ top selection immediately began making up for lost time. Kjerstad slashed .309/.394/.457 over two levels and set the tone
for a strong 2023. Despite his first-round status, Kjerstad still managed to exceed expectations the following season.
Kjerstad made his MLB debut in September 2023. He briefly settled into a groove the following season before a Clay Holmes fastball came in high and tight. The hit by pitch prompted an extend stint on the injured list, and Kjerstad once again found himself medically unable to play the game of baseball.
Last season should have finally been the year that Kjerstad reached his potential. Unfortunately, the young power bat went through another period of trials and tribulations. Kjerstad slashed .192/.240/.327 over 54 games in a part-time role before being optioned to Triple-A.
Kjerstad posted a 26.9 strikeout percentage with the Orioles while only walking in 3.6 percent of plate appearances. His chase rate (38.3), barrel percentage (8.0), whiff percentage (28.4), and expected batting average (.235) led to plenty of blue on his Baseball Savant page. Injuries to Colton Cowser and Tyler O’Neill should have provided Kjerstad a path to daily at bats, but the former top pick struggled to meet the moment.
Young hitters develop at their own pace. Kjerstad would not have been the first to need another reset at Triple-A before unleashing his potential in the big leagues. Unfortunately, that next chance never materialized.
Kjerstad struggled at Norfolk before hitting the injured list with “fatigue” on July 25. When asked, Tony Mansolino said the club would provide an update at the appropriate time. Mike Elias eventually revealed that Kjerstad had been working with team doctors and external physicians on a “medical condition.”
Elias said at the end of the year that Kjerstad was responding favorably to some treatments. He shared that the team was looking forward to seeing “the real Heston Kjerstad” at spring training in 2026.
The story comes with the same preamble that has followed Kjerstad since he entered the organization in 2020. Everyone wants the young man to be healthy and happy outside of the sport. As baseball fans, everyone wants to see this talented player contribute for their favorite team.
It’s natural to wonder about Kjerstad’s status in 2026 and beyond. The concussion and myocarditis are both medical issues that can result in prolonged periods of uncertainty. “Fatigue” is a more general term, and it’s impossible to know what all impacted the outfielder from the outside looking in.
The picture gets murkier when looking through the lense of the current offseason. Elias moved on from Grayson Rodriguez after the former first-round pick proved unable to stay on the field. In the same move, the Orioles acquired a power-hitting corner outfielder that they wouldn’t have needed if Kjerstad and O’Neill were healthy and maxing out their potential.
That being said, there’s no reason for the Orioles to move on from Kjerstad at this juncture. The 26-year-old still has an option remaining, and he represents depth at a power position. Whether he’ll receive another legitimate opportunity to crack the rotation could depend on external factors.
He’s no longer blocked by Anthony Santander or Ryan O’Hearn, but the Orioles have several talented players set to contribute next year. Cowser, O’Neill, Taylor Ward, Dylan Beavers, and Jeremiah Jackson are all set to spend some time in the corner outfield next season. Adley Rutschman, Samuel Basallo, Ryan Mountcastle, Pete Alonso and Coby Mayo could all spend time as the designated hitter.
The Orioles are wisely preparing for the worst case scenario with Kjerstad. That’s the appropriate move, but it’s a factor for the youngster. Kjerstad can prove he’s healthy at Triple-A, but even the greatest power numbers wouldn’t move the needle in the minors. The youngster needs to prove he’s capable of playing everyday in the big leagues, but the win-now Orioles can’t afford to give out extended AB’s on a trial basis.
Ironically, Kjerstad’s path to redemption likely requires another player or two to experience some bad luck. If the 2025 Orioles taught us anything, it’s that baseball players struggle to stay healthy for a 162-game season. If healthy, Kjerstad should receive another opportunity to contribute for the organization that made him the second overall pick six years ago. Nobody will be rooting for another player to suffer an injury, but it’s fair to say that everyone would love to see Kjerstad healthy and swinging for the fences at Camden Yards again in 2026.
