Heston Kjerstad will get the call to the big leagues
Ryan Mountcastle was pulled from the game tonight after feeling his shoulder pop. Kjerstad’s call up is pivotal to the impending series vs. Tampa Bay.
The Baltimore Orioles No. 3 ranked prospect, 24-year-old Heston Kjerstad will get the call to the big leagues to replace Ryan Mountcastle who hurt himself in the 1-0 loss to the Cardinals. His call-up comes at a pivotal time as the Orioles prepare to play 4-game series versus the Tampa Bay Rays in a showdown for what could determine the winner of the American League East crown. During the Tides game, Kjerstad was lifted for a pinch hitter leading to speculation that the call was made during the game.
In college, he hit 52 career homeruns to go along with a career .312 batting average. After missing all of 2021 and part of 2022 with myocarditis, the 6′ 3″ 205lb Heston Kjerstad is putting up great numbers in 187 games total (2022-2023) in the minors: He is hitting .305 (220/722), with 26 homeruns and 92 Runs Batted In. In addition, he is also a plus fielder with great range. He was selected to play in the 2023 All-Star Futures Game
Heston Kjerstad is from Amarillo, Texas and a product of the Arkansas Razorbacks and was taken No. 2 overall in the draft in 2020. He is a left-handed hitter, right-handed fielder. Buck Britton calls Kjerstad’s hitting, “delightful sight to watch” as he puts up tape-measure shots.
