Orioles’ Heston Kjerstad returns to majors with confidence: ‘Now it’s my turn’
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Now batting, Heston Kjerstad.
After infielder Jordan Westburg earned an everyday role in spring training, outfielder Colton Cowser forced his way into the lineup early this season and second baseman Jackson Holliday got his call to the majors two weeks ago, Kjerstad is getting his chance to join them on the Orioles roster.
“They’re great talents and they’re just scratching the surface of what’s to come for them and it’s great to see that,” Kjerstad said of Cowser and Westburg. “Coming up behind them and things like that, it’s like, ‘OK, they can do it. I’ve played with them before and now it’s my turn to join them and help out.’”
The Orioles recalled the 25-year-old outfielder on Tuesday, giving the hottest hitter in Triple-A the opportunity to show his talents can translate to the major leagues. Kjerstad has already proved he has mastered the Triple-A level, but patience is a virtue the Orioles have been forced to test in many of their prospects with the logjam of talent on their 26-man roster. It took an injury to outfielder Austin Hays, who landed on the 10-day IL on Monday, to finally make room.
“That’s part of the game,” Kjertsad said. “You got to wait your turn and also it’s part of your journey. You want everything ASAP but that’s not life. You got to sit back, be patient and when your time comes, be ready for it.”
Kjerstad went on a tear with Norfolk to start the year. While the Tides’ prospect-laden lineup was putting up historic numbers as a whole, Kjerstad was the best of the group. The 2020 No. 2 overall draft pick slashed .349/.431/.744 with a league-leading 10 home runs and 30 RBIs, shaking off a relatively pedestrian spring training with the Orioles in which he hit .265 with a .580 OPS and no home runs.
Manager Brandon Hyde penciled him into the start lineup for Tuesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, but he wasn’t ready to commit to Kjerstad playing every day while Hays is on the shelf. Kjerstad will see sporadic opportunities to make an impact, whether it’s in pinch-hit at-bats or as an occasional starter against a right-handed pitcher.
While a difficult situation for any player, especially one with only 33 career plate appearances, it will be up to him to take advantage of those chances like Cowser did over the first two weeks if he’s going to stick around the rest of the season.
“I just want him to come up here and try to contribute,” Hyde said. “We have a good lineup but Heston has got big time power so hopefully he can impact us offensively.
“I’m going to try to give him some starts when I can. Hopefully he takes advantage of them like Colton Cowser did and then we’ll go from there.”
Kjerstad is the seventh Orioles first round pick to join their major league roster, a group that doesn’t even include shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who was drafted with the first pick of the second round in 2019. The Orioles’ pipeline might clog up at times, but it’s also fostered a young core that gives each call-up plenty of familiar faces in the clubhouse when they arrive.
“It’s cool having a bunch of guys you came up with playing through the minor leagues and you got to spend a lot of time in the offseason and stuff with,” Henderson said. “I don’t know how many times guys can say that to all be in the big leagues at the same time.”
This isn’t his first taste of the big leagues. Kjerstad already got the experience of making his major league debut last season, when he impressed enough to earn a spot on the Orioles’ playoff roster. This time, however, he’s arriving on the heels of the best stretch of his professional career. What he may lack in opportunity, Kjerstad makes up for in confidence.
“Whatever they need me to do, that’s what I’m here for,” Kjerstad said. “They need me to pinch hit, play right field, play wherever. Wherever they tell me my role is for the day, that’s what I’ll do to help the team.”
Around the horn
• Left-hander John Means made his fifth rehabilitation start Tuesday with Norfolk, building up to 79 pitches (53 strikes) in 4 1/3 innings. Means carries an unsightly 13.89 ERA in 11 2/3 innings, but has struck out 14 hitters to six walks. Though the Orioles have yet to indicate when Means might rejoin their major league rotation, his 30-day rehab assignment expires April 30.
• Hyde said in his pregame news conference Tuesday that right-hander Tyler Wells, who is on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation, will resume throwing in the next few days. The skipper also shared his enthusiasm for right-hander Kyle Bradish’s progress. Bradish, scheduled to make his third rehab start Friday, will be scheduled for his return after he reaches about five innings and 80 pitches. He threw 64 pitches over 3 1/3 innings his last time out.
• Despite being held out of the lineup for the second straight game, first baseman Ryan Mountcastle took ground balls on the field ahead of batting practice Tuesday. Hyde said Mountcastle’s knee, which swelled up after Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals, was improving and he would be available off the bench as a pinch hitter.
• Former Orioles left-hander DL Hall, traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in the Corbin Burnes deal, hit the 15-day IL over the weekend with a knee sprain. He’s made four starts for his new ballclub, including one against the Orioles, posting a 7.71 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings.